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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > iPod, iPhone & Apple TV > End of iPhone exclusive contracts!

End of iPhone exclusive contracts!
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Veltliner
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May 6, 2008 , 04:49 AM
 
Apple will be selling the iPhone to anybody and to anybody on any network.

No more exclusivity.

In Italy.

But more countries will follow.

Italy is iPhone avantgarde.

Where's the US? Limping behind?

Because I don't want no effing AT&T (double negation intended - for AT&T you just need two)
     
moonmonkey
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May 6, 2008 , 05:56 AM
 
link?
or are you making this all up.



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MacosNerd
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May 6, 2008 , 06:41 AM
 
The OP seems to have issues with AT&T.

Regardless of what happens in Italy, AT&T will be the exclusive carrier for the iPhone for years to come. Mostly because Apple signed an exclusive contract with them. Besides, choices in the US are limited to AT&T or T-Mobile because of the GSM technology.

You options are to either get an iphone with AT&T, or unlock it and go with T-Mobile.
(Last edited by MacosNerd : May 6, 2008 at 10:19 AM (Reason:Sounded unusually harsh))
     
naphtali
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May 6, 2008 , 08:49 AM
 
Probably talking about Telecom Italia and Vodafone Italy offering the iPhone later this year

Both Telecom Italia and Vodafone to Offer iPhone in Italy - Mac Rumors

AppleInsider | Apple to offer iPhone in Italy through multiple carriers
     
Krypton
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May 6, 2008 , 01:43 PM
 
I'm pretty sure Apple can't terminate its 5 year exclusive deals in the US, UK, France and Germany just because it has changed its mind about the optimum business model.
     
Wiskedjak
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May 6, 2008 , 02:13 PM
 
It would be interesting if Americans who want iPhones end up locked to AT&T for the next 4 years while late-comers to getting they iPhone have more choice. Unfortunately, it's moot in Canada, since we currently have only one GSM provider and are probably at least 2 years away from another showing up (which the current provider is suspected of wanting to buy up)
     
imitchellg5
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May 6, 2008 , 05:12 PM
 
Can't you buy an unlocked iPhone in Germany from T-Mobile? Not really news then.

July 29, 2009
     
Veltliner
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May 7, 2008 , 12:20 AM
 
Originally Posted by Wiskedjak View Post
It would be interesting if Americans who want iPhones end up locked to AT&T for the next 4 years while late-comers to getting they iPhone have more choice. Unfortunately, it's moot in Canada, since we currently have only one GSM provider and are probably at least 2 years away from another showing up (which the current provider is suspected of wanting to buy up)
Like those who bought their iPhones, and weeks later there was the big price drop...
     
Simon
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May 7, 2008 , 01:33 AM
 
Originally Posted by Krypton View Post
I'm pretty sure Apple can't terminate its 5 year exclusive deals in the US, UK, France and Germany just because it has changed its mind about the optimum business model.
They can't. But they can negotiate.

Apple: We want other carriers to sell it too.
Carrier: Not gonna happen.
Apple: How about we stop taking a cut of your monthly revenue?
Carrier: But...
Apple: Instead you could subsidize the iPhone as much as you want. You'll sell a whole lot more.
Carrier: Hmm...
Apple: And just because we've been such great business pals we'll throw in exclusive sales for you for the first three months.
Carrier: Done.
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Eug
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May 7, 2008 , 07:42 AM
 
I know it has been in the press that AT&T has the iPhone for 5 years, but what about the UK, France, and Germany?
     
butterfly0fdoom
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May 7, 2008 , 12:32 PM
 
You realize a non-exclusive iPhone would be offered for two carriers in the US, right? If you hate AT&T's network, you'll hate T-mobile's more.

Originally Posted by Veltliner View Post
Like those who bought their iPhones, and weeks later there was the big price drop...
Cell phones get price cuts all the time. Apple fanboys are just too whiny. No one saw RAZR early adopters complaining about the RAZR price cuts.
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mikemako
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May 7, 2008 , 08:08 PM
 
Originally Posted by Eug View Post
I know it has been in the press that AT&T has the iPhone for 5 years, but what about the UK, France, and Germany?
I have also seen reports about a 5 year exclusive agreement with AT&T, but not one of the reports has been based on official info from AT&T or Apple. We really don't know if it's a 5 year arrangement. It might only be 2 years. Or 1 year. Or the contract might have a clause that allows it to be broken if sales don't hit a certain number within the first 12 months.

We will all know soon though...
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