I guess what I heard was that Apple in the early days was shopping around their early prototypes and demos to different phone companies. Unlike most phone vendors they wanted no meddling from the carrier and would simply deliver their device 'as is'. That wasn't (isn't) the way it was done but they also offered the carrier exclusive rights in exchange for pretty much accepting the Apple device in whatever form it came out as. I heard VZ got the pitch and wouldn't give Apple the time of day but ATT took the gamble and have been well rewarded for it. Sure all the other carriers are now kicking themselves but it was a big risk for ATT to partner with Apple, who never before made a phone. Of course Apple thought they had a hit but how was ATT to know that? Anyway, in 2010 the exclusive deal ends and now that the tail is wagging the dog, Apple no longer needs ATT and can do what it wants. That said, there was also a 5 year deal that Apple would only use GSM in the US so that still blocks Sprint and VZ for a while longer. The rest of the world is GSM, so maybe this would kick Sprint and VZ off their non-standard networking ways in order to get in on the iPhone game.
CB Scott Howell wrote: > Yes I have said this Larry and I have it on good authority VZW will > get the iPhone. As far as when, I don't know, but you can bet VZW > wants it and so do their customers. As far as the agreement with AT&T, > I believe that exclusive agreement ends this year and I know AT&T was > trying to extend this deal, but Apple I believe is not interested in > doing that. And in fact Apple would be doing themselves no favors by > extending the agreement with AT&T and would only benefit by entering > into contracts with other carriers. At this point Apple has proven to > all wireless carriers the viability of the iPhone. THis is the reason > why AT&T got the exclusive rights to begin with as I understand it. > AT&T was willing to take a risk for the exclusive rights and carriers > like VZW wouldn't bite when first approached and now regret that > decision. I suspect AT&T has benefitted considerably from the sale of > the iPhone. > > On Jun 9, 2009, at 9:29 PM, Larry Wanger wrote: > > >> Scott, >> >> In a couple of previous messages you've said that the iPhone will be >> on the Verizon network. I'm not sure about the validity of what you >> are saying. Apple and at&t have an exclusive contract. The length of >> this contract isn't really clear and, in light of some things said >> yesterday, I am thinking that Apple might look to make some changes at >> the end of the deal. But, its very well known that these two companies >> have an exclusive deal in the United States. >> >> >> On Jun 9, 2009, at 12:13 PM, Scott Howell wrote: >> >> >>> It does work, will work, and blind people will have no problems using >>> the iPhone. I know for fact this is the case and I have gotten >>> Confirmation from a source. Point is, like anything, there may be a >>> learning curve, but it will work and it will be up to you to >>> determine >>> if it fits your needs. >>> >>> >>> >> > > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
