News August 31, 2009

Non-AT&T iPhones Within A Year- Now That Would Be Nice

This is one of those rumors we can’t help but hope is true. AppleInsider is reporting that Gene Munster, senior research analyst with Piper Jaffray, is predicting Apple will add a second US carrier for the iPhone next summer. It is not a new rumor, but with the FCC stepping in on the Google Voice issue and word that Apple will NEED to add an additional carrier if they want to maintain the kind of growth they have seen; this has a new ring to it.

This would be a great thing for everyone using an iPhone, even those who would remain with AT&T. Why? Two reasons. First it would give more visibility to the business practices Apple is using while decreasing Apple’s ability to make special side-deals that ultimately cripple the device and undermine end-users. Second, competition. AT&T stinks. Right now, however, they don’t really need to woo anyone to come to them or two stay- the iPhone does that all by itself. With the iPhone on an additional carrier AT&T is going to have to work a bit harder and be a bit less arrogant than they currently are. Competition is good for consumers and right now there isn’t any.

Oh, and it would also let us happily tell AT&T to kiss-off if we wanted to. After all, as the post put it…

While customers have been extremely satisfied with Apple’s phone and have embraced it, many U.S. customers have been disappointed with the AT&T network.

Tags: Apple iPhone, AT&T, Mobile Phones, Rumors and Speculation

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About Dan Cohen

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Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him.

Christopher Gavula

Except that, in my area, Verizon is a lousy choice – sigh.

This isn’t really a surprise since the exclusivity deal ends next year.
Christopher Gavula

Actually, I’d prefer to see another GSM carrier (in the U.S.) like T-Mobile get it. That way you could still maintain compatability in much of the world.
http://www.geardiary.com Michael Anderson

I would love it on Verizon … but also hate it because taht would erase my excuse for not having one …