| AT&T wants to keep an iPhone exclusive »online.wsj.com/article/SB1239732···715.html
But AT&T's exclusive deal to carry the iPhone in the U.S. expires next year, according to people familiar with the matter, and Mr. Stephenson is now in discussions with Apple Inc. to get an extension until 2011.
An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment, saying only, "We have a great relationship with AT&T."
Mr. Stephenson declined to discuss the terms of AT&T's agreement with Apple -- only saying it is a multi-year deal. The company has said it added 4.3 million iPhone subscribers in the second half of 2008 -- about 40% of whom were new to AT&T. Will Apple be bribed enough by AT&T to keep the iPhone from other US wireless providers?
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 jsz0Premium
join:2008-01-23
Jewett City, CT | I'd be surprised if AT&T can offer a big enough deal but, at the same time, the lure of the iPhone is pretty massive. For Apple I would think potential AppStore profits would decide it. They haven't detailed the amount of money they are making off iPhone apps yet but given the incredible numbers and growth they gotta be making a fortune. AT&T would have to, at minimum, match the amount of sales Apple loses by not being able to reach other carriers. Also, from Apple's perspective, a big launch by Verizon would be free marketing and hundreds (thousands?) of new retail stores for their hardware. I just don't see how AT&T could offer enough money to keep it exclusive but stranger things have happened. |
