According to some excessively well paid bloggers (read: analysts) at Barclays Capital, Apple will probably choose to extend the iPhone exclusivity agreement with AT&T for this coming fourth generation of the popular handset.
The reasoning behind this is that the data plan for the iPad will be through AT&T, which is taken to mean that Apple is continuing its relationship with AT&T. From a behavioral standpoint, this makes sense: when Steve Jobs is done with you, he really gets done.
Another factor in the analyst speculation (and it is very much speculation as only Apple and AT&T know for sure right now) is AT&T’s recent drive to beef up their networks. AT&T’s long-standing inability to provide the data that iPhone users demand is one of the biggest complaints about the iPhone experience.
What the analysts miss for the most part is the effects that the rollout of 4G will have on the iPhone. If Verizon somehow were able to provide almost nationwide LTE coverage to users, it’s hard to imagine Apple not jumping to get on that bandwagon. When 4G really hits, smartphones will be almost immediately available to work with whichever network has it, and a lot of mobile users fed up with inadequate 3G speeds will move on to whichever phones are on that network. Given the rate at which they come out, that almost certainly will result in Android getting the upper hand.
On the other hand, 4G probably won’t happen this year, so Apple does not have a compelling reason to leave AT&T other than to tap the massive Verizon client base. But moving to Verizon’s existing CDMA infrastructure would look very bad for Apple. A touted feature of the iPhone is that the device allows users to use data while in a call, a feature of AT&T’s GSM network that Verizon does not have. This would make for two different iPhones, leading to differentiation too confusing for most in Apple’s fanbase.
hold on a second. i can multi task while on a call and i have the blackberry storm with verizon….
I have some insight that this phone is going to end up on sprints network. Apple is fed up with Att slow coverage and have been in good relations with sprint of late…
Considering Iowa City doesn't even have 3G yet (still slumming on the Edge network), I'm not impressed with any 4G announcements. Bring me coverage, AT&T! >|:-(
I know someone who works for AT&T. They are investing, right now, in billions of dollars to upgrade network, towers, fiber optics, etc. Apple will stay with them.
Areas without broadband lines, etc. are expected to be helped through stimulus, job bills and other initiatives from the Obama administration, who is insistent on extending rapid broadband internet and phone networks to all areas. That will happen if Congress can stop behaving like 8th graders in the lunch room.
Nope. The only network you can truly talk and surf the web is AT&T. It is based on the structure of their network. You can use wi-fi and talk with Verizon, but you cant truly use cellular internet and talk at the same time.
I don't see the problem of having two different iphones. It's already been done with blackberry. Eg: Verizon uses blackberry's that wouldn't function on a T-mobile or AT&T network. I just don't see how it could get “too confusing for most in Apple's fanbase.”
Disagree. I can talk and surf the web on my blackberry on Sprint.
I totally agree with you. I hope the iPhone 4g does come over to Sprint PCS.
Well said! =)
Well from what I can tell AT&T's “CLAIM” of talk & Surf is another of their BS “leave out the important facts” campaigns just like the 3G/EDGE crap. Our family has 4 iPhones and we can only surf and talk if you are talking to another AT&T phone. I have no way to test as I do not have an AT&T land line but I'll bet it only works while talking to another AT&T wireless phone
You guys are all wrong.
Reason #1–I'm on my iPhone 3gS reading your claims about only being able to “surf and talk” while on with another AT&T wireless, and I have had my chick on speaker (from her land line,which is not even AT&T..) the entire time.
Reason#2–had sprint, sprint blows.(the worst service ever, as well as bad customer care.
Reason#3–VERIZON?!?!?! are you kidding? Worse than sprint! I'll bet my left testical that apple STAYS with AT&T.—if they don't, well, I guess I'll be left with 1 ball and a bad taste in my mouth. Because I'm totally happy with apple,AT&T,and my iPhone.
That's ridiculous…I talk and surf all the time. Can even text to one person while talking to another, looking at pics of your girlfriend and talking to your mom on her land line from the original AT&T
All these combative, opinionated comments aside;
This is a well thought-out, well-written, insightful article. Thank you Mr. Klurfeld.
Payce.
I'm sure many verizon users would appreciate an iPhone (I know I would.) Verizon keeps signing contracts to keep releasing these smartphones that are supposed to top the iPhone, but they all end up being topped by it. The iPhone has been consistent for years, while new smartphones that keep coming out always end up being the lesser of the two phones. First it was the LG Voyager, then the LG Dare, then the EnV 2, etc., and now the Motorola Droid. I'm not saying that it's a bad phone, but I can garuntee that in a few months it will still be topped by the iPhone, like all the others, and another “iPhone comparing” smartphone will be released.
am I the only one tired of hearig about all these phone networks and stuff…why can’t there just be 1 network that everybody would be on and our lives would be soo much easier…then we could all upgrade to 4G at 1 time
or is that just too easy for some people?
Verizon will get it.
I travel a lot for work and it seems as though different carriers are more and less popular depending where you live. I never had a dropped call on my iPhone while at home in Louisiana but every 5th call was dropped while working in Connecticut- the 3G was comparable. I find this fluctuates wherever you go.
The point of having many networks is so that the consumers have choices and more competition for these phone companies. It’s good for consumers. DUH
The IPhone 4g should only be with AT&T!!!
The only reason I got the iPhone 4 was to get the 4g network and once I found out Im not even going to get it I was pretty pissed! And AT&T give us more coverage quit being lazy with the multi trillion dollars your making off us!!!
Iphone should be only for at@t cause people are getting p*ssed cause verizon has it and maybe t mobile will have well if they do they shouldnt cause they make fun of at&t makes it seem like the worse network