It's funny how Apple wants the iphone experience to be the opposite of the ipod experience.
What do you mean?
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Length of AT&T's exclusive contract revealed
- Thread starter kdarling
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What do you mean?
I respect your opinion, but I think that your logic is flawed. Apple was not forced to sign anything. Apple CHOSE to go exclusive with AT&T because they were willing to pay them a fee for every month of service. AT&T agreed to this until 2009 to increase sales. Apple wasn't forced into anything. They forced AT&T into it. The only way AT&T could keep it exclusive was to pay Apple off. Subsidizing was AT&T's way of increasing it's exclusive carrying of iPhone until 2010. Steve has been dictating since the start. He demanded it to be subsidized to get it into more people's hands!!! I think you need to research a little more before you put stuff out.
Here's a link. Read it and tell me Jobs is not in control!
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/08/02/apple-extends-atandt-exclusivity-to-2010/
Let's be real now. What leverage did apple have over the carriers? none. Sure, now everyone wants an iphone, but no one really knew how successful iphone would be. If apple really was in control from the beginning, iphone would have been subsidized when it first launched.
Actually, I disagree. In the beginning Apple did have a lot of leverage because there was a lot of industry chatter and excitement going on around the iPhone, and this is why AT&T begrudgingly gave up a percentage of the monthly billing on the iPhone (this is undeard of!) However, by the time the 3G iPhone rolled out, that dynamic had changed. AT&T had some hard data to look at (sales weren't what Apple had projected on the 1G) and decided that they needed to change that dynamic. That is why Apple does not get a percentage of the 3G iPhone billing (and THAT is why the new iPhone is subsidized like every other phone.)
Read any industry analyst statements just before the launch of the 1G and read the same industry analyst statements just before the launch of the 3G and you'll see what I'm talking about.
1) Nobody, not even ATT, saw the iPhone before December 2006. Apple's previous combination iPod - phone, the ROKR, was a failure.
2) Therefore, Apple had little leverage, as evidenced by Verizon saying no, and Apple agreeing to an exclusive with ATT. Although, really, I must admit that since no one else would take them, an exclusive mostly just means that a good part of the country can't buy one due to roaming restrictions.
3) ATT didn't even sign with Apple until the Summer of 2006, long after the phone was under development, but immediately after a year of Apple talks with Verizon fell through. Once Verizon said no, then Apple needed ATT.
4) ATT didn't pay Apple anything extra for the first model. That's one of the most naive things people say. ATT simply agreed to give Apple your monthly subsidy (called "revenue sharing" by Apple to hide their greed). Unheard of, perhaps, but certainly no skin off ATT's back. Fortunately, that proviso apparently only lasted for a year.
In the end it still comes down to price for me.
I'm on T-mobile and while their customer service has been outstanding for the past 4 years- I would probably still switch to ATT if it weren't for the ridiculously expensive plans.
I'm on T-mobile sidkekick plan for $39.99 for 1,000 minutes and $20 data -so I pay $59.99 a month for everything including unlimited texts.
To get a comparable plan on ATT for an iphone would cost me $110 a month.
That's almost double. Even if I switched to a blackberry it would only cost me $79.99 a month with full data plan AND free wifi calls in my home (And probably less as T-mobile rep said they would probably throw in free texts if I threatened to leave.)
I love Apple- I love my ipod Touch and really want to use it outside my wifi home- but it simply isn't worth going to AT&T at this point. The real killer/insult is the fee for text messages.
I'm on T-mobile and while their customer service has been outstanding for the past 4 years- I would probably still switch to ATT if it weren't for the ridiculously expensive plans.
I'm on T-mobile sidkekick plan for $39.99 for 1,000 minutes and $20 data -so I pay $59.99 a month for everything including unlimited texts.
To get a comparable plan on ATT for an iphone would cost me $110 a month.
That's almost double. Even if I switched to a blackberry it would only cost me $79.99 a month with full data plan AND free wifi calls in my home (And probably less as T-mobile rep said they would probably throw in free texts if I threatened to leave.)
I love Apple- I love my ipod Touch and really want to use it outside my wifi home- but it simply isn't worth going to AT&T at this point. The real killer/insult is the fee for text messages.
As far as texting though...didn't you know? Texting is dead on the iPhone!
Just get AIM for free and you'll never text again! I agree about sticking with T-Mobile. I have a plan that is cheap and works for me ($29). I have had great service from them. Why would I want switch to AT&T? I'd hack an iPhone before I signed up with AT&T.
How long can Apple's brand afford to be tied to AT&T's sad service?
The "New" AT&T is worse than the old. When I see AT&T pull WiFi at restaurants when you already pay for iPhones data access, or when I see that cool tethering app appear, then disappear from the App Store, it really doesn't baffle me at all. The number crunchers at AT&T are socially inept when it comes to customer service/loyalty and when their contract with Apple is up, people will be leaving AT&T in droves.
The "New" AT&T is worse than the old. When I see AT&T pull WiFi at restaurants when you already pay for iPhones data access, or when I see that cool tethering app appear, then disappear from the App Store, it really doesn't baffle me at all. The number crunchers at AT&T are socially inept when it comes to customer service/loyalty and when their contract with Apple is up, people will be leaving AT&T in droves.
What's unheard of is a handset being sold with new service without a subsidy. If Apple did indeed have leverage against the carriers, then then iphone would have been on Verizon and Sprint too, subsidized, and with Apple taking a cut of the monthly service fees. The revenue sharing thing with ATT isn't as big a deal as people make it out to be. It's nothing more than the equipment subsidy paid out over the lifetime of the contract. If anything, that arrangement benefits ATT more than Apple.
A "huge" recession? What kind of recession is that? Is that the kind of recession where the economy keeps growing instead of shrinking? Because that's exactly what's happening...
only problem with verizon is that CDMA is inferior technology vs. GSM. If apple starts selling to other carriers i would only expect them going with tmobile and att out of the big 4. Sprint and Verizon are both cdma and i just dont think its worth apples time to make the iphone a totally universal device. I love att and have for the last 8 years, from the original att to cingular and back to att. i wouldnt change to verizon ever.
damn its been that long for me too huh.
i remember i could pick my number...
cellular one
comcast one
att
cingular
att
if you must remember Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile didn't want the iPhone because they said that "No one would ever pay $500 for a phone." Their loss AT&T's gain.
Verizon won't be #2 for long.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/05/verizon-alltel-merger-would-form-largest-carrier-in-the-us-by-f/
Eh, I think it's bull that Apple wanted exclusivity to begin with, it's insulting to their customers.
Wow. No. Where did that idea come from?
Carriers don't care what people are willing to pay. People buy unsubsidized phones all the time.
Verizon passed on it because they like selling their own ringtones and music. Because they didn't want to screw their retailers. Because they didn't want to give up warranty control.
Verizon passes on iPhone
While it's true that Verizon lost some customers to the iPhone, Verizon still made more money than AT&T last year. Verizon had less customer churn (loss) than AT&T. Verizon's sales of ringtones and music is second only to iTunes (although I'm sure it's far less). Verizon is doing just fine.
You're going to be waiting longer. To my knowledge, Apple has no intention of releasing a CDMA version of the iPhone. They are sticking with GSM. So unless VZW switches it's network to GSM from CDMA, very expensive and unlikely, they will not be getting the iPhone. Plus VZW turned the iPhone down, they don't deserve it! LOL!
And why exactly do we need contracts for cell phone service again?
I'm not in contract for my cable tv, internet, satellite, etc.
Cricket (no contract, 50 bucks per month for unlimited everything) is sounding better and better each day now......
How exactly is it inferior technology? GSM is used more worldwide, however I don't think you can honestly say one technology is better then the other. They both have advantages and disadvantages and at the end of the day they both do the same thing.
I am running on the Alltel network right now which is CDMA-EVDO network just like Verizons and I don't see any issues with speeds. It also provides a very reliable signal and voice communications as well. When AT&T has as superior of a nation wide network as Verizon does get back to me. Look at the coverage maps for both carriers and see who covers more of the country.
I live in South Dakota which is pretty much a CDMA only area. We will probably never see an iPhone. AT&T is not interested in serving any rural areas in the country. If and when Verizon transitions their network to LTE (at least for data) there will be even less of a reason for Apple to ignore the soon to be largest cellphone carrier in the United States.
Of course VZW isn't going to switch its network to GSM. Apple will make a CDMA iphone, simple as that. If HTC can have CDMA and GSM versions of the same handset, I'm sure apple engineers can figure it out too.
There are more CDMA customers in the US than GSM. There's no reason why there can't be a CDMA iphone. The only one I keep hearing is that apple wants iphone to be exclusive and limited. Yah, I'm sure the shareholders will be just fine with that.
They do have a better network or at least one with better coverage. For a large portion of the country the CDMA network is much better than the GSM network. Around here the GSM includes the metros and small bubble around the major highways between them. Get more than a mile or two off those roads and your phone will not get a signal. CDMA on the other the hand will work just about anywhere.
every carrier has they own exclusive phone, AT&T just so happened to get the most sought after phone. People use to say the same thing about the SideKick.
Whats interesting when reading threads like these is that it seems to me that people switched carriers because of the iPhone itself, not the carrier. AT&T, I'm sure, will do everything in its power to keep throwing Apple bones to ensure they are the exclusive carrier of Apple's prestigeous piece of techno-wizardry. That said, I am willing to wager that people would flock back to Verizon Wireless if they acquire the iPhone when they switch over to LTE. Like others here, I have a more favorable opinion of Verizon's cellular network than AT&T's. I live in upstate NY, and believe me when I tell you, that I hardly know anyone who uses AT&T (all of my friends and family use Verizon Wireless, and thats a big number). Both carriers are just as prevalent and accessible, but the quality of Verizon's network beats AT&T's hands down (that, and I hear Verizon Wireless's coverage is considered top-notch in NY & New England ). I would imagine its a different story if you happen to live in a metropolis, but a lot of people don't, mind you.
Also, whats with all this about bad customer service, be it any carrier? What were the circumstances?? I love to inquire, but if I were to guess, those of you who had bad customer service experiences were "bitchy customers." I've seen some pretty ridiculous fits and tantrums from customers inside carriers' stores when they don't get their way... you know, being calm and collected and nice goes a long way, and you'll likely get what you want from any carrier.
Also, isn't Verizon Wireless soon to allow open-access to its network? Obviously, the phone would have to be CDMA compatible, but it goes to show that Verizon Wireless is working on being less restrictive.
). I would imagine its a different story if you happen to live in a metropolis, but a lot of people don't, mind you.Also, whats with all this about bad customer service, be it any carrier? What were the circumstances?? I love to inquire, but if I were to guess, those of you who had bad customer service experiences were "bitchy customers." I've seen some pretty ridiculous fits and tantrums from customers inside carriers' stores when they don't get their way... you know, being calm and collected and nice goes a long way, and you'll likely get what you want from any carrier.
Also, isn't Verizon Wireless soon to allow open-access to its network? Obviously, the phone would have to be CDMA compatible, but it goes to show that Verizon Wireless is working on being less restrictive.
Completely disappointed
I totally understand your position on this.
What a completely disappointing turn of events this is.
I will now have to take a second look at the OpenMoko Freerunner and use it on my T-Mobile contract.
I totally understand your position on this.
What a completely disappointing turn of events this is.
I will now have to take a second look at the OpenMoko Freerunner and use it on my T-Mobile contract.