New AT&T data plans/ rates coming...

[Applejuiced]

They did change the devices standards and created the touchscreen new era smartphone market.
I agree that they didn't develop wireless network standards. They're usually a year or 2 late to adopt new tech in general before they fully commit themselves.
But like you said wireless network standards and tech is more of a carriers job. All Apple does is implements the baseband chips with the frequencies needed to access those newer technologies.

[doublepost=1505007919][/doublepost]The changed the device market. They have done very little to further the wireless network technologies that makes mobile devices useful in the first place. They let others do the development and financing required to build up the infrastructure.
For example NTT Docomo's i-mode (1999) and Handango (early 2000s).