All exclusive iPhone carrier contracts now over - APPLE

[makingdots]

Apple inks new iPhone deal with AT&T, all exclusive contracts now over
source: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles..._now_over.html

Apple announced that in addition to its new non-exclusive agreement with Verizon, it had signed a new non-exclusive agreement with AT&T that brings to a close all carrier-exclusive iPhone contracts worldwide.

Without going into details, Apple's chief operations officer Tim Cook described signing "a multi-year, non-exclusive deal with AT&T," before affirming that "we are not in a contractual exclusivity now in any country in the world; the last one was the US. We have moved away from those."

Cook also noted that "we've seen this in every case where we've moved from exclusive carrier arrangement to a dual- or multi-carrier arrangement: our growth has changed significantly and our market share has increased," although he said that "Not in every country nor are we out doing that [signing up multiple carriers] in every country. Each market has their own parameters and technology."

That raised the question of whether Apple would be using its CDMA iPhone 4, unveiled in its new carrier relationship with Verizon Wireless in the US, to expand its carrier partnerships in other countries, where CDMA offers either another avenue for growth, or a far superior carrier partnership potential.

Cook refused to comment on specifics, saying, "Don't want to comment about any specific country, because any conversations ongoing are confidential in nature," before adding, "I can guarantee you that we always are looking at opportunities to grow."

Responding to a question of whether it was "unreasonable to expect to see more CDMA carriers going forward," Cook replied, "On the CDMA front, I don't have anything specific to announce today other than we are thrilled to be working with the Verizon team. A lot of respect for their customers and some of them have waited a long time for an iPhone."

Cook added, "And non-Verizon customers that wish to buy an iPhone," artfully dodging the idea that a significant number of AT&T's existing iPhone users are expected to jump ship for Verizon simply to have basic service on their phone.

Hope we see Smart/Sun soon.

[blessie15]

Yes, finally! A Smart iPhone would be awesome.

[lsalapare]

or even a Sun iPhone too..

[burn09]

Yes, finally! A Smart iPhone would be awesome.

I am hoping that Smart will carry the iPhone 5 and the next iPhone iterations...
more choices for consumers...

[kram45]

i hope they will release a factory unlocked iphone here that can be used by all networks.

[majesta24]

This is great news as my Smart line would be expiring again soon...

[guwapito]

I still have a line under smart communications which is about to expire this September, i'm holding on to this line and choose which is better

[Venet]

I think Sun Cellular already signed the deal not sure about Smart.

[guwapito]

I think Sun Cellular already signed the deal not sure about Smart.

signed the deal to carry iphone? wow that nice care to post the link if there are any with regards to this one?

[Steele]

that's great! so that would mean non-exclusive warranty as well.