AT&T And Apple Under Scrutiny
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It was bound to happen at some point. The US Government getting their fingers into AT&T’s exclusive deal with Apple and how they are able to remain the exclusive seller of the ever-popular iPhone. If the US Justice Dept. has their way, chances are very good that this “agreement” between AT&T and Apple may be broken up in some capacity.
Now the real question is whether or not this is really going to be any real benefit here for the end user. Yes, by forcing AT&T to let Apple out of the contract, freeing them to sell the iPhone to other companies, this means more choice for the end user.
But this is only going to benefit the end user should Apple opt to work with other mobile vendors. It’s possible, but something tells me that Apple is quite happy with the current arrangement. So if such a contract was invalidated somehow, would Apple really be in such a hurry? Clearly, they are not a company about selling the most. They enjoy a certain level of control and keeping to one mobile brand allows them this control, whereas multiple carriers does not.
4 Comments
Tom
July 7th, 2009
at 9:25am
They could still control by publishing requirements to be met by the carrier in order to have the device. Carriers would have to comply in order to service the device.
At that point, the carrier that supllies the best version of those requirements would gather the most subscribers. This would still allow Apple to dictate its terms.
On the other hand, I would like the government to stay out of private contracts. The camel has almost entirely entered the tent and this is one more step along the path…
Tom
Brandon
July 8th, 2009
at 7:50am
I can’t wait for the iphone from Cricket!! :P LOL!!!
Bryan Lee
July 8th, 2009
at 8:06am
Apple has up to 22 carriers that they work with internationally for the iphone so I think they would be just fine if they broke their contract with AT&T.
Chas
July 9th, 2009
at 11:17am
When a company can lock in customers, they do not have to better their product(s). Conversely . . .
Also, the public can make the best choices for themselves when they know the true prices for products. iPhone customers are actually paying MORE for that price break they get from AT&T - do the math: compare $200 off the price of the iPhone vs. $10 more a month for 24 months.