Back then you could use what phones were available from your carrier. There was no such thing as BYOD. You had to have the carrier support the Apple device and

Back then you could use what phones were available from your carrier. There was no such thing as BYOD. You had to have the carrier support the Apple device and that was only possible through the AT&T deal. Without that deal the iPhone would have died a quick death as it wouldn't be usable.