Cingular-only iPhone At Launch?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

ThinkSecret claims that Apple and Cingular have signed an agreement that will make Cingular the exclusive carrier for Apple's upcoming phone, reportedly due in early 2007. The contract is said to last 6 months, after which Apple would be free to expand its offerings to other providers. According to the site, Apple is still in talks with providers in other parts of the world on other exclusive deals.

The site has previously claimed that Apple's phone will feature a candy-bar design with a 2.2" display and 3 megapixel camera, with "robust iTunes and iSync" support. MacRumors has posted an artist's rendering of how our sources have depicted the phone.

[donbadman]

who the hell are cingular? what about orange t-mobile, vodaphone or o2? I guess it's US only again...

[gloss]

Oh man. Verizon early termination fee, here I come.

[itsonlytheend]

Darn, was really hoping for T Mobile compatibility. Oh well, guess this was pretty expected. What about all the CDMA customers? After 6 months? Never?

[gloss]

Originally Posted by donbadman

who the hell are cingular? what about orange t-mobile, vodaphone or o2? I guess it's US only again...

They're GSM, which means the likelihood you'll get the phone outside the States is very high.

[ftaok]

Originally Posted by donbadman

who the hell are cingular? what about orange t-mobile, vodaphone or o2? I guess it's US only again...

Did you even read the link?

Speculation is that O2 will have the exclusive rights to the iPhone in Europe. You can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think O2 is somehow connected to Orange. So it looks like the iPhone will have a carrier in Europe and the UK.

[iMikeT]

This is good news. I will not have to switch providers!

[Elrond39]

Originally Posted by ftaok

Did you even read the link?

Speculation is that O2 will have the exclusive rights to the iPhone in Europe. You can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think O2 is somehow connected to Orange. So it looks like the iPhone will have a carrier in Europe and the UK.

Well, that settles it... I'm waiting however long it takes for this to come GSM carrier-unlocked. I refuse to give up my current provider (because I'm getting massive minutes at a nice low cost), and I'm never going to buy a phone that's locked to one carrier, because you end up paying crazy amounts per month. Sucks. Well, guess this here T610 of mine will have to last even longer still.

[Brandon Sharitt]

I won't be in the market for a new phone until late next year, around August or so. Hopefully by then Cingular's exclusiveness will be over, although I'm not sure who my next carrier will be, Cingular or T-mobile.

[iwannabeaninja]

Been saying it on the forums forever.
2007 Apple pulls iTunes from Motorola
2008 Apple launches iPhone with Cingular

[auxplage]

I may have to break down and buy my first cell phone. I feel so out of place being 18 and in college without a cell phone. Well, at least when I do get the "iPhone" I can be "cool" for three months?

[PlaceofDis]

Originally Posted by itsonlytheend

Darn, was really hoping for T Mobile compatibility. Oh well, guess this was pretty expected. What about all the CDMA customers? After 6 months? Never?

well technically depending on how its implemnted... Cingular is GSM just like T-Mobile, which means that depending upon access and the way the phone is 'locked' it will work with T-Mobile too. i have T-Mobile and of course i didn't ever expect Apple to go with them, they just aren't big enough, but Cingular is, i just hope that Apple sells unlocked versions even if its at a premium, or that you can buy an unlocked version from Cingular.

[aswitcher]

looking forward to an Australian deal. Hopefully it will be someone cheap like Virgin - they are "hip and trendy" (at least I think they are...)

[abscond]

I hope it isn't O2, that would be a shame. To be honest, any network lockins would be bad.
My vote would be Orange if I had the choice.

[vincebio]

Originally Posted by donbadman

who the hell are cingular? what about orange t-mobile, vodaphone or o2? I guess it's US only again...

did you read the article above?

"Apple is still in talks with providers in other parts of the world on other exclusive deals"

[Flyinace2000]

As long as i can buy one on ebay then i am happy.

[vincebio]

i REALLLLLLLYYYYYYYYY hope its orange...

as the choice of mobile phones they have at the moment is the poorest i have ever seen in the UK.

ive been waiting on a p990i since march.....still dont have it on orange, was told yesterday it could be end of october now.

i am gauranteed a free upgrade on any handset, so come one apple!!

[Platform]

Leopard and iPhone....hmm...should be good, but I hope the phone comes out world wide

[Macnoviz]

I see, another "we'll start in US and maybe in the future do something for the rest of the world, too" product.

Well, good luck finding an exclusive deal in Belgium, you can't "lock" cell phones here, we believe in choice. Hopefully it will be GSM (100 % coverage)

[Warbrain]

Well, that's good news for me. As long as they release it next spring/summer when I can upgrade my phone, I'm sold. I'd pay a pretty penny for it.

[John Jacob]

What about India? I want me an iPhone!!

And why the exclusive deal? Wouldn't that mean that Apple would sell LESS iPhone's? I can't see how an exclusive deal with Cingular/O2 benefits anyone other than Cingular/O2...

[lokey]

This would be great. My Cingular contract ends in November so I'll be able to choose any provider at that time, but an iPhone will keep me with Cingular. Also, my current phone is on it's last leg... exciting news!

[mi5moav]

I don't where they get there info from but O2 was not the exclusive Europe ROKR carrier. I've been using T-mobile on my ROKR for almost a year now in Germany and that was like 2 months before my friend was able to get his on O2. I really think that T-mobile would be a better choice to start with since it seems more punks, movie stars, and hollywood ho-joes use that service then any other since when they do the jet set thing they can take their phone with them and its a lot less then with Cigular. Might have to switch to T-MO next year especially with all that bleeding EDGE network they just snapped up a few weeks back. I have a feeling if Itunes Mobile is gonna be on this phone, we need EDGE or HSDPA, half the capitals of Europe have Hi-Data and we get stuck with a war to fight, and can only bring back old models to the auto world like the Camaro,Mustang, and now the stinking Cherokee is back as the Patriot.

One thing is for sure "Designed by Apple in California" is a very important tag line and George Bush has been pushing media to sell America, Apple got on just in time. Sony designed in Osaka, Nokia designed in Finland, Samsung designed in Japan, Motorola designed in Illinois... just don't have the same ring. Even though I can't stand it CAL I FOR NI A is the place to be, right now, well at least until this surge of 80 foot water rises over our heads.

So, Jed what we gonna do?

[Porchland]

Originally Posted by gloss

Oh man. Verizon early termination fee, here I come.

Yeah, this is pretty exciting news. I had already planned to call Verizon this morning to see when my contract is up.

EDIT: $175 termination fee per phone and a good while to go on the contract. Yeouch! I may just have to keep my fingers crossed that Verizon Wireless gets the iPhone late next year.

[Forever]

I hope you will be able to by it 'sim free' in the uk, im not buying it if it an O2 exclusive and this will make me sad