The carriers had an iron grip on the phones and stores. People were cheering when Apple said the App Store only took a 30% cut. The reason the iPhone started on

The carriers had an iron grip on the phones and stores. People were cheering when Apple said the App Store only took a 30% cut. The reason the iPhone started on a smaller regional carrier (Cingular, but then purchased by ATT) was because they were the only ones willing to let Apple do Apple and stay hands off. Once the iPhone got traction it forced the others to follow suit. Of course times have changed, but people are quick to forget what a mess cellular used to be in the US.