AT&T exclusive contract for iPhone extended to 2010

[onehandle]

In exchange for its payout, AT&T got a year extension, into 2010, on its exclusive distribution deal with Apple, people familiar with the matter say. Sources asked to not be named because the terms are confidential.

Under the original iPhone contract, Apple had the right to offer the device to other carriers beginning in 2009. If Apple exercised that clause, AT&T would have lost one of its biggest points of leverage with customers — exclusive access to the iPhone. Nailing the extension "is a very big deal," Entner says.

Stephenson declined to discuss the contract, saying only that he is "very happy" with the arrangement.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/phones/2008-07-31-att-iphone-stephenson-apple_N.htm

[MagickMuffin]

1. AT&T is the main reason I won't buy an iPhone: I don't TRUST AT&T.

I wish Apple would let "THEIR" consumers choose who they want as their carriers. Especially since the iPhone is so expensive to start off with.

I'm a T-Mo fan. I just bought a Blackberry Curve for $99. and two year contract. T-Mo has been our carrier since 03, and most of that time has been without a contract.

Maybe by 2010 iPhone's will be more affordable and I won't have to deal with AT&T. We'll have to wait and see tho.

[onehandle]

2. If this was France or several other countries, we'd be able to select our own carrier.

When the iPhone was announced I was already with Cingular, now AT&T.

Oh well...