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AT&T Exclusivity Expires in 2010, AT&T Asking for Extension?
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no more dropped calls please!
More than the restrictive monthly rates, I would love to have a different network and finally stop having my calls dropped!
More than the restrictive monthly rates, I would love to have a different network and finally stop having my calls dropped!
If you want the iPhone and want LTE those are the most likely providers...I'm not saying anything about needing to use those two...
But shouldn't we wake up and start a petition requesting internet service and phone service to be offered separately? Lets get it going.
I don't have a problem with AT&T. I get maybe 1 or 2 dropped calls per month. Verizon did about the same. FWIW, AT&T's done a fairly good job at keeping up with Apple so far. AT&T's desire to "do anything it takes" to remain tied to Apple can only benefit Apple.
michael.lauden
macrumors 68020
i think AT&T has stepped up their service exponentially each year. after the cingular/AT&T merge... i barely ever get a dropped call... and there's usually only 1-2 bars where i usually talk (on the back roads to avoid traffic, and in my house)
exactly. however the carriers will do everything in their power to make sure that they stay relevant before they become dumb pipes.
michael.lauden
macrumors 68020
i think AT&T has stepped up their service exponentially each year. after the cingular/AT&T merge... i barely ever get a dropped call... and there's usually only 1-2 bars where i usually talk (on the back roads to avoid traffic, and in my house)
but i almost always have service here 45 mins south of ATL
fleshman03
macrumors 68000
So here is a thought...
The exclusivity helped Apple get the iPhone into mainstream culture. As a result, the one time purchase of hardware has become secondary. Apple can now make a boat load of money with the AppStore.
Maybe... just maybe they will leverage this "freedom" into something good for the consumer. Current Price Points w/ a lower monthly plan (like w/ the original iPhone.)
This would allow people to spend more money on software and get the iPhone OS more mainstream.
Just a thought. An unlikely one, but a good one.
EDIT: It might be worth pointing out that Apple seems open to making the device cheaper for the consumer. Price Cuts on Gen 1 & 2. Although rates did go up. Now, maybe the price per unit will stay the same and service rates will decrease. **Added benefits over the competition...
The exclusivity helped Apple get the iPhone into mainstream culture. As a result, the one time purchase of hardware has become secondary. Apple can now make a boat load of money with the AppStore.
Maybe... just maybe they will leverage this "freedom" into something good for the consumer. Current Price Points w/ a lower monthly plan (like w/ the original iPhone.)
This would allow people to spend more money on software and get the iPhone OS more mainstream.
Just a thought. An unlikely one, but a good one.
EDIT: It might be worth pointing out that Apple seems open to making the device cheaper for the consumer. Price Cuts on Gen 1 & 2. Although rates did go up. Now, maybe the price per unit will stay the same and service rates will decrease. **Added benefits over the competition...
techfreak85
macrumors 68040
thats something that i think alot of people like about the iphones plans. unlimited mobile internet. thats something i will look forward to when i (hopefully) get one.😀
Offer internet service for the iphone separately. Allow one phone app of your choosing to work in the background and see how much innovation in the phone you will have thereafter.
And why wouldn't AT&T for an extension?
Please don't go to Verizon. Then every single person will have an iPhone.
Please don't go to Verizon. Then every single person will have an iPhone.
techfreak85
macrumors 68040
no way should apple offer seperate internet. with verizon, they advertise all their get it now/vcast news etc, but u have to pay each time for the stupid internet.
with the iPhone the internet is already included for a fair price in the package, and u get the real thing, not the retarded cell phone internet. to me that is too good of a deal.
with the iPhone the internet is already included for a fair price in the package, and u get the real thing, not the retarded cell phone internet. to me that is too good of a deal.
I disagree. Why should you need to pay $60-80 phone service if you do not want to but would welcome the addition of a 3g/4g internet service that would enable you to get rid of that expense and encourage innovation on VOIP?
Probably won't happen
Everyone needs to remember that Apple is a business and it makes "business sense" to keep things simple for customers and Apple. Apple's exclusive deal with AT&T might not be everyone's ideal situation but makes a lot of sense for both those companies. GSM is a world standard and the iPhone is now in 80 countries with only 3 different SKU's (8GB, 16GB black or white). Creating a CDMA version which will add 3 more SKU's and complicate things for Apple (additional supplier deals, more marketing, more negotiations with additional carriers). Apple likes to simpify things and keep everyhing consistent which is easier to do when their is only ONE carrier to work with in a specified country. How would it sound when a customer comes in to Apple and says my "Verizon iPhone won't receive new email when I'm on the phone or surfing the Internet or listening to Pandora but my friends will". Oh he has the AT&T version which can do that but yours doesn't have that capability.
Everyone needs to remember that Apple is a business and it makes "business sense" to keep things simple for customers and Apple. Apple's exclusive deal with AT&T might not be everyone's ideal situation but makes a lot of sense for both those companies. GSM is a world standard and the iPhone is now in 80 countries with only 3 different SKU's (8GB, 16GB black or white). Creating a CDMA version which will add 3 more SKU's and complicate things for Apple (additional supplier deals, more marketing, more negotiations with additional carriers). Apple likes to simpify things and keep everyhing consistent which is easier to do when their is only ONE carrier to work with in a specified country. How would it sound when a customer comes in to Apple and says my "Verizon iPhone won't receive new email when I'm on the phone or surfing the Internet or listening to Pandora but my friends will". Oh he has the AT&T version which can do that but yours doesn't have that capability.
techfreak85
macrumors 68040
@Petrochik
yes is does cost extra, but apple wants the users to have the full experience, not like verizon sounds like they dont want me using vcast for tv/news/sports that bad.
😛
apple has always wanted all their customers to have "the full experience".
one version of OSX. full one year warranty with genius bar, etc.
yes is does cost extra, but apple wants the users to have the full experience, not like verizon sounds like they dont want me using vcast for tv/news/sports that bad.
😛
apple has always wanted all their customers to have "the full experience".
one version of OSX. full one year warranty with genius bar, etc.
fleshman03
macrumors 68000
JGowan
macrumors 68000
Free Phones, Baby!
When all the carriers can sell the iPhone, then they'll soon be free. Competition will cause the price for the customer to be lower and lower, finally, one will go to free and then they'll all follow suit. Then, whoever has the best coverage/rate plan wins most of the marbles. Apple did it with the music companies and will do it to the cell phone companies.
Can't wait.
When all the carriers can sell the iPhone, then they'll soon be free. Competition will cause the price for the customer to be lower and lower, finally, one will go to free and then they'll all follow suit. Then, whoever has the best coverage/rate plan wins most of the marbles. Apple did it with the music companies and will do it to the cell phone companies.
Can't wait.
Never (EVER) happen. Apple will never allow Verizon to put software on the inside of their phone and certainly not some sort of verizon logo on the outside. The carriers will either go for the same type of exclusive deal that AT&T has given Apple, or Apple simply won't play ball.
You don't think that Apple doesn't have a plan to scale their business? That's ludicrous. A few carriers isn't going to matter at all Apple.
DiamondMac
macrumors 68040
I have bought both iPhones on the day they were released and LOVE IT. I really have never been more satisfied with a phone than these two phones
With that said, the actual reception is an absolute joke and I have used both phones in 3 different major cities. Compared to others around me, I get half what they do on several other carriers and anything remotely in a building seems to lower the bars by half if not more when there should be no reason for such a drop off. I thought something was wrong so I got a new 3G phone yet the same problems in the same locations.
I hope they do switch off AT&T because the call reception is absolutely terrible
With that said, the actual reception is an absolute joke and I have used both phones in 3 different major cities. Compared to others around me, I get half what they do on several other carriers and anything remotely in a building seems to lower the bars by half if not more when there should be no reason for such a drop off. I thought something was wrong so I got a new 3G phone yet the same problems in the same locations.
I hope they do switch off AT&T because the call reception is absolutely terrible
🙄🙄🙄
You have any better options? Oh wait, I forgot, we have no freakin choice in the matter! Either eat their **** up in spoonfuls or walk around without a phone at all. Simple as that.