AT&T CEO admits iPhone won't be exclusive forever
By Donald Melanson 
posted Jul 23rd 2009 4:48PM
posted Jul 23rd 2009 4:48PM
It may not be all that shocking from a common sense point of view, but AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson's statement that "there will be a day when you are not exclusive with the iPhone" is still quite a departure from anything he's said in the past and, given the stakes involved, pretty darn notable. That word came at Fortune's now happening Brainstorm: Tech conference, where Stephenson unsurprisingly didn't elaborate on any negotiations with Apple, and only went so far as to say that he thinks AT&T's partnership with Apple "works really, really well -- maybe as well as any strategic partnership we have." Of course, none of that means exclusivity is going away anytime soon, and you can pretty safely bet that AT&T will keep on pushing as long as it can.
FIRST!
You and this guy are both D-bags.
Apple still makes the iPhone? Other carriers still want it?
god i hate you ATT. i hope Verizon gets it, especially that little stunt. Of not telling iPhone people that the voicemail thing was down..
Good. I can't wait. AT&T's service is abysmal around my area of Michigan. My iPhone hardly ever can make calls and when it does, they are distorted most of the time. Verizon works perfectly anywhere and everywhere in Michigan. Give it up AT&T!
Southeast MI here, I have 3G coverage and full bars where ever I go. I have had very few issues with AT&T.
I live in the Thumb, and AT&T's coverage is something to be desired. There is no 3G coverage at all around here nor is there any in Saginaw or Bay City. For them being such big cities, it's strange that they still don't have 3G and that they themselves lack from good coverage. I just can't believe how much better Verizon is at covering Mid-Michigan and areas north compared to AT&T.
I don't see why they should, it's private business.
Oh please let some other Carrier get this AT&T SUCKS BALLS in my area...
Yea I think if it does go to verizon their network is going to crash even harder than at&ts cause of so many other people wanting the iPhone. It's just a precaution to all those verizon fanboys out there
Apple needs to play fairly, and allow T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint the chance to sell the Iphone. Allowing AT&T to have the big scoop of customers is hurting the customers, as well as the other companies. But, the people have the say right now too. If they didn't jump online at the launch event and left those 3 Million Iphone's just sit there, they can make a statement that AT&T is not welcomed.
Then Verizon should give up the exlclusive on the Blackberry Storm. Sprint should give up the exclusive on the Pre. T-mobile should give up the exclusive on the G1. Think before you speak.
Yes! Can't wait until it goes to Verizon so my google maps can be disabled, and forget about an app store, VCast all the way baby (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/07/13/verizon-to-its-smartphones-thou-shalt-have-no-other-app-store-b/)! I've traveled many a places with my iphone (2G and 3G), and minus a few trips to more isolated areas, AT&T works wonderfully. The complaining is to be expected because only a small fraction of those experiencing good service share their experience, but 99% of those who have a bad experience will let everyone know it. And why is it that I'm a fanboy because I like buying things that work and work well?
JBY
Tell which phones Verizon has GPS disabled? Maybe if you were some what smarter, you would know Verizon has unlocked all GPS phones. Next, we don't have V Cast on our Smart Phones. Only V Cast Music on the Storm which is the same as iTunes except you can download all the music you want for 14.99 a month.
Verizon beats the crap out of AT&T. AT&T has nothing to brag about.
@VZW
You are the biggest Verizon fanboy. It cracks me up. While you've got a good network, your phone selection blows, you have your crap software on all your dumbphones and your customer serice is poor (I had VZW for 3 years). Just one questions... if you think Verizon is so great, why did they pass on the iPhone?... It's funny how they want it now, after it's sold millions. I honestly hope it never goes to you guys because you're all tools!
Of course ATT's CEO will say that considering that ATT's exclusive deal with Apple and the iPhone will be ending relatively soon!
He wants to play "nice" to the media and the public (i.e. Kiss Ass!) so people stay with ATT!
The iPhone should NOT have been LOCKED into one carrier to begin with!
ATT should NEVER have raised their monthly rates or charged such high data rates anyway as news reports states that the iPhone's business is a CASH COW for ATT.
MONEY! MONEY! MONEY!
GREED! GREED! GREED!
Hope people DUMP ATT when the iPhone is no longer exclusive as that ARROGANT and GREEDY company needs a lesson in Humiliation!
That's like saying the G1, BB Storm, and the Pre shouldn't be tied to one carrier. But that's how it works. Want the phone? Then switch to who has it. If their service sucks, then don't switch and quit complaining. That's business!
The first gen owners actually got a break on the data plan price. For EVERY smartphone on AT&T it's $30/mo, whether it's edge or 3G. Verizon has the same exact prices. Deal with it, it's a smartphone, not a dumbphone. Can't afford it? Then get a better job!
You sir need a lesson in BUSINESS!
-Posted from my iPhone 3G
YAY!