From the ROKR to the iPhone (to Apple Mobile?)

[Prof.]

On September 7, 2005, Apple and Motorola introduced the MOTO ROKR, the world's first iTunes compatible phone. Then, on January 2007, Apple announced its first cellular phone to the world and named it 'iPhone'. Then, on June 29, 2007, when iPhone hit stores, it was an instant nation-wide success. People lined up outside Apple stores days in advance to be the first to own the phone that was being hailed as "The Jesus Phone." Since its release in June 2007, Apple has sold approximately four million iPhones.

With the huge success of the Apple iPhone, could we expect Apple to launch its very own cellular phone service in the coming years? I'd like to think so.

 

[TEG]

No. They could be an MVNO, but it is a hard row to hoe.

TEG

 

[Prof.]

No. They could be an MVNO, but it is a hard row to hoe.

TEG

What does "MVNO" mean?

 

[joekix]

i still have my rokr in a drawer somewhere. that thing was awful.

 

[xUKHCx]

What does "MVNO" mean?

Mobile Virtual Network Operator, basically the don't own the infrastructure they just piggy back on an existing network. Think of it as they buy large bulks of minutes and texts from a specific network and then sell them on, for profit.

 

[ikare]

LOL, I liked my ROKR, at the time, it was sweet

 

[zap2]

No...the current model is simpler...and they already had a big base pool for iPhone owners(AT&T is the biggest company in the US)....then imagine the pain for setting up MVNO in every country Apple wants to sell the iPhone in...god that would be a headache!


Plus Apple is locked to AT&T until atleast '09, maybe 2012..(not sure about Euroland carriers)

 

[BOSS10L]

As others have said, I think it'd be more trouble than it'd be worth for Apple.