AT&T's IPhone Exclusivity May Be Renewed
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Credit Suisse
OUR ANALYSIS SUGGESTS THAT Apple (ticker: AAPL) will eventually sell the iPhone at all carriers; however, there is a much greater probability that AT&T (T) keeps exclusivity for another 12 to 18 months than investors realize. We think this has profound impacts for Apple, the carriers and the other handset original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
We see four possible scenarios in 2010: 1) AT&T's existing exclusivity agreement does not expire; 2) it expires but Apple/AT&T renew for another year; 3) it expires, but Apple does not make a CDMA version (only AT&T and T-Mobile [a unit of Deutsche Telekom (DT) can sell it); 4) it expires and Apple makes a CDMA version (all carriers can sell it).
Our framework det
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I fear this is going to happen. AT&T bending over on the ipad data plan was the first sign.
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I could've sworn ATT ham a 5yr exclusivity with Apple, whick would take it til June 2012.
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Oh, I could've sworn it was 5yrs. If it's the length was never announced then why does EVERYONE seem to subscribe to all these rumors of AT&T losing Iphone exclusivity? Especially considering Apple is selling the "Ipad" through IT&T it certainly seems like the sex is still good with Apple & IT&T.
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Think what you want. But all that has ever been released is speculation.
Never an official document or press release from ATT or Apple. I think it was prolly 3 years and they renewed it for another 12-18 months. You prolly wont see an iphone on verizon or other carriers till LTE is more prominent.
Just my thoughts.
Never an official document or press release from ATT or Apple. I think it was prolly 3 years and they renewed it for another 12-18 months. You prolly wont see an iphone on verizon or other carriers till LTE is more prominent.
Just my thoughts.
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Granted, nothing is certain, but I would not call research and probability estimates by Credit Suisse "BS speculation". They are one of the most respected and accurate analysts of international commerce for investors.
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That's the only thing keeping them from losing people to other carriers. People get addicted to their iPhones, and, despite massive complaints of service problems, people remain with AT&T anyways.
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Jonathan Schwartz had an interesting take on his blog about Apple and AT&T, discussing patent lawsuits.
He claims that the iPad likely violates a few patents from a long-defunct pen-based computing company. Those patents are now owned by, (wait for it), AT&T.
Consequently, Apple's public statements about AT&T being a trusted partner for the iPhone and iPad could be leveraged not only by AT&T's willingness to put up with Apple's demands, but by AT&T not asserting part of its patent portfolio.
http://jonathanischwartz.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/go ... »
He claims that the iPad likely violates a few patents from a long-defunct pen-based computing company. Those patents are now owned by, (wait for it), AT&T.
Consequently, Apple's public statements about AT&T being a trusted partner for the iPhone and iPad could be leveraged not only by AT&T's willingness to put up with Apple's demands, but by AT&T not asserting part of its patent portfolio.
http://jonathanischwartz.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/go ... »
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