4 ms·

You really think Apple made a 3+ year exclusivity contract with AT&T? Even in view of the explosive possibilities of the device? Hmm, it's possible, but it does

You really think Apple made a 3+ year exclusivity contract with AT&T? Even in view of the explosive possibilities of the device? Hmm, it's possible, but it doesn't seem likely. It's probable that they are continuing to choose to do business with them for some reason or another.

portman 16y ago
Apple did sign a five-year exclusive with AT&T. Sources: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/10/confirmed-apple-and-atandt-signed-five-year-iphone-exclusivity-de/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/10/confirmed-apple-and-atand... http://stadium.weblogsinc.com/engadget/files/Apple_iPhone_Ex_brief.pdf http://stadium.weblogsinc.com/engadget/files/Apple_iPhone_Ex... http://stadium.weblogsinc.com/engadget/files/Apple_iPhone_Ex_Order.pdf http://stadium.weblogsinc.com/engadget/files/Apple_iPhone_Ex...
- houseabsolute 16y ago
  Shows what I know. :P Why is everyone speculating that they might come out with a Verizon phone then? Surely this is basically a broken leg on the possibility of that happening until 2012?
  - portman 16y ago
    There was speculation that because the original agreement did not include the iPad, Apple was under no obligation to give AT&T exclusivity on the iPad, and that they renegotiated the contract when the iPad was released. Such a renegotiation could have included an earlier end to exclusivity. It will take another court case to confirm if that is true, since neither party comments on the terms of their agreement.
    - houseabsolute 16y ago
      Interesting . . . that other court case is entirely possible too with people complaining about the unlimited bandwidth bait and switch.
megablast 16y ago
Because of the controls that were in place with the carriers at the time, and the fact that Apple didn't want to operate under those controls, it was not easy for Apple to find a company to work with. On top of that, there was no guarantee the iPhone would be a success, and it also required significant change to the software operating the cell towers, for things like visual voicemail. And also, Apple was asking for a lot of money. ATT was supposedly not Apples first choice, but it was the one that accepted the conditions Apple bought to the table.

portman 16y ago

Apple did sign a five-year exclusive with AT&T. Sources: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/10/confirmed-apple-and-atandt-signed-five-year-iphone-exclusivity-de/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/10/confirmed-apple-and-atand... http://stadium.weblogsinc.com/engadget/files/Apple_iPhone_Ex_brief.pdf http://stadium.weblogsinc.com/engadget/files/Apple_iPhone_Ex... http://stadium.weblogsinc.com/engadget/files/Apple_iPhone_Ex_Order.pdf http://stadium.weblogsinc.com/engadget/files/Apple_iPhone_Ex...

houseabsolute 16y ago
Shows what I know. :P Why is everyone speculating that they might come out with a Verizon phone then? Surely this is basically a broken leg on the possibility of that happening until 2012?
- portman 16y ago
  There was speculation that because the original agreement did not include the iPad, Apple was under no obligation to give AT&T exclusivity on the iPad, and that they renegotiated the contract when the iPad was released. Such a renegotiation could have included an earlier end to exclusivity. It will take another court case to confirm if that is true, since neither party comments on the terms of their agreement.
  - houseabsolute 16y ago
    Interesting . . . that other court case is entirely possible too with people complaining about the unlimited bandwidth bait and switch.

megablast 16y ago

Because of the controls that were in place with the carriers at the time, and the fact that Apple didn't want to operate under those controls, it was not easy for Apple to find a company to work with. On top of that, there was no guarantee the iPhone would be a success, and it also required significant change to the software operating the cell towers, for things like visual voicemail. And also, Apple was asking for a lot of money. ATT was supposedly not Apples first choice, but it was the one that accepted the conditions Apple bought to the table.