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AT&T to Sell Contractless iPhones for $400 Premium

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Why would it be?

japhy

Mar 19, 2009, 3:11 PM
Unless they want to build a new phone, they're not going with a CDMA carrier (or switch to TMobile) - they can sell the exact same hardware all over the world, so it's financially very much in their interest to stay with AT&T.

Then there's the $30 data plan AT&T charges, which (it was rumored) at least a small portion of which went to Apple for each customer. That's a lot of cash.

There may be a loosening of AT&T's terms, but the Apple/AT&T alliance is around for at least a few more years.
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japhy

Mar 19, 2009, 3:12 PM
Actually, that's a reply to ECANTU's message.
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texaswireless

Mar 19, 2009, 4:05 PM
So why are they hiring CDMA Engineers? Apple and AT&T may still sell the iPhone but do not be surprised if a CDMA version comes out very soon for Verizon.
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enin

Mar 19, 2009, 8:27 PM
I love it when this rumor comes up.

AT&T has exclusivity rights in the US for 5 years, it hasn't even been 3 years since that deal was made yet.
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familyguync07

Mar 19, 2009, 8:43 PM
whose to say it will be called a i-phone they could totally change the phone making a better version for cdma hey it could happen I am sure apple can do what they want to be honest!!
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texaswireless

Mar 19, 2009, 8:58 PM
You need to check your facts. It is well documented that the agreement is not exclusive for that entire period.
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Versed

Mar 19, 2009, 9:08 PM
Wither Apple can or cannot break or modify their agreement with AT&T is speculation, but I will say this, even if you are the worst iPhone hater on the planet, if Apple were to make a CDMA iPhone, I can tell you this, VZW would pick it up.

BTW, Apple has a long history of screwing over their partners(for want of a better statement). If they so want, they would do it.
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HawkeyeOC

Mar 20, 2009, 12:28 AM
Versed said:
Wither Apple can or cannot break or modify their agreement with AT&T is speculation, but I will say this, even if you are the worst iPhone hater on the planet, if Apple were to make a CDMA iPhone, I can tell you this, VZW would pick it up.


Verizon was first approached by Apple about the iphone in the first place. Verizon turned them down.

Big mistake for Verizon, but unless either party has a change of heart a CDMA iphone may never be
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Evali

Mar 21, 2009, 10:29 AM
You guys do realize that the iPhone was originally going to be a CDMA device right? The reason it went GSM is because no body wanted to agree to Apple's terms. 60 percent market control really? cmon now
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Versed

Mar 21, 2009, 11:27 AM
I think that is partially true, they did go to VZW first, well documented, but I also think Apple had a far more global position and was probably going to make both a gsm and cdma version of the iPhone.
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Slammer

Mar 22, 2009, 10:55 AM
Versed said:
I think that is partially true, they did go to VZW first, well documented, but I also think Apple had a far more global position and was probably going to make both a gsm and cdma version of the iPhone.


It is interesting that Apple did approach Verizon first. I know Verizon had dismissed the idea of selling the iphone and speculate that royalties and rules of the game could have been a reason. Apple is very controlling of their products as so is Verizon. So initially the union of both these companies could have had an adverse effect on the user experience for the device. I also think that the iphone basically really did not offer much other than asthetics on the time of first ever release whic...
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Jayshmay

Mar 19, 2009, 9:07 PM
Hmm, where did you hear Apple hired CDMA engireers? Doesn't Apple know CDMA is on death row??? In 2/3yrs when LTE takes over the world that's all there will be.
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texaswireless

Mar 19, 2009, 9:18 PM
Google apple, cdma and engineer and you will get a nice result.
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Evali

Mar 21, 2009, 10:37 AM
LTE does not replace CDMA. CDMA is a voice and light data network system LTE is a heavy data source that can be pulled from. Verizon AT&T and T-Mo will not own LTE towers it is a network that will be laid by the signature owner much like WiMax. And if any tower system is nearing an end it would be GSM the only reason GSM was so big and lasted so long is because it is much cheaper to build a network. in the next 5-7 years you will see a drastic change globally CDMA is already becoming a standard.
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iDragon405

Mar 21, 2009, 10:45 AM
I totally disagree, why would a company whos building GSM towers which is less costly and is internationaly global, switch to CDMA which cost more to build? And when LTE is lauched it will be more compatible to GSM than CDMA.. so yeah.
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T Mobster

Mar 23, 2009, 2:45 PM
gsm is da bomb diggity 😎
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iDragon405

Mar 23, 2009, 3:54 PM
I hear yah!! GSM all the way, I cant see myself using CDMA, I dont wanna be locked onto one phone. It's either AT&T or T-mobile. GSM!!!

But how come all these people say CDMA is going to take over??
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Versed

Mar 21, 2009, 11:28 AM
I doubt it, since carriers are dumping cdma for gsm.
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iDragon405

Mar 21, 2009, 11:44 AM
thanks versed! thats what im saying! GSM is the world standard.
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Evali

Mar 25, 2009, 6:04 PM
Really like who? Last time I checked Globally companies are making changes to CDMA and WCDMA networks for better spectrum Control not to mention If you pay attention to JD Power every year CDMA wins for call quality.
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Jayshmay

Mar 21, 2009, 5:34 PM
Not just data, headline right here on Phone Scoop says "Voice over LTE standard".

And by the way, it may take 5-7yrs, but CDMA's days are limited.

https://www.phonescoop.com/news/discuss.php?fm=m&ff= ... »
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japhy

Mar 20, 2009, 9:56 AM
There's nothing in the job listings that I've seen that indicate Apple is looking for CDMA only engineers, though CDMA is certainly listed. If they're looking to hire wireless RF engineers, than it's very much in their best interest to fully understand how the competing wireless technologies work, especially since UMTS (aka - WCDMA) & LTE incorporate concepts developed under both CDMA & GSM.

Clearly, what Apple is doing is taking a more wholistic & comprehensive approach to wireless technology. Hiring a handful of CDMA engineers is far from a sure sign a CDMA iPhone is on it's way, it's just a sign Apple is smart.

Also... c'mon, a phone with the capabilities of the iPhone on Verizon? The carrier that extends more contr...
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iDragon405

Mar 20, 2009, 11:05 AM
very nicely said japhy. I totally agree.
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T Mobster

Mar 21, 2009, 11:55 PM
japhy you make a lot of sense man...especially as a former vzw sub i can sure relate to the frustration i was dealing with the get-it-now aka "pay-us-now" user interface on all the devices which cripples them, i would rather the iphone be on tmobile but id take it on at&t before i would wanna see it on vzw. "Verizon Wireless, We Never Stop Billing You"
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T Mobster

Mar 21, 2009, 11:56 PM
🤣
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iDragon405

Mar 20, 2009, 11:27 AM
Well on the news, on CNN a couple of weeks ago, Apple is going to have an entry level iphone, and their will be an updated, or newer iphone this summer. Thats what CNN was confirming, so I'm guessing there will be a newer generation iphone.
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japhy

Mar 20, 2009, 12:06 PM
Here's why: the software platform & SDK. Right now, Apple is pulling in not only millions in profit from the hardware & residuals from AT&T, but they're also taking a profit from all the software going through the App store. If they were to introduce a new iPhone with drastically reduced capability, they'd either have to make it so that it's completely compatible with the current software or develop a new completely different iPhone OS. There's no financial reason for them to do so, and probably thousands of practical reasons why they can't or won't.

This is the same reason why there won't be any kind of Apple "netbook" or sized up iTablet - it would require a new software platform or would be barely capable of running OSX. And anyone...
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Evali

Mar 25, 2009, 6:07 PM
Because a sign of being a power company in the mobile industry is versatility the same reason HTC is making a lower end blackberryesque phone the Cedar.
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ATTemployeeLLG

Mar 21, 2009, 10:38 AM
Apple choosing AT&T really was the best decision, especially with the 3G Iphone. Yeah, Verizon may have the largest 3G network now that they have bought out altel. And yeah, Sprint may have the best prices as far as data plans, phone plans, etc... but when it comes to the Iphone, you want the internet to be FAST. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if Verizon has the largest 3G network. With the Iphone, it only makes sense to be with a carrier who has the FASTEST 3G network, and that's exactly what AT&T is.

-L
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Versed

Mar 21, 2009, 11:30 AM
As a happy AT&T customer, I disagree, for the most part, give and take, evdo-a and hsdpa are more or less on par.

What I do like about hsdpa vs. evdo-a is being able to do data and voice at the same time.
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Kayslay34

Mar 22, 2009, 10:18 AM
ATTemployeeLLG said:
Apple choosing AT&T really was the best decision, especially with the 3G Iphone. Yeah, Verizon may have the largest 3G network now that they have bought out altel. And yeah, Sprint may have the best prices as far as data plans, phone plans, etc... but when it comes to the Iphone, you want the internet to be FAST. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if Verizon has the largest 3G network. With the Iphone, it only makes sense to be with a carrier who has the FASTEST 3G network, and that's exactly what AT&T is.

-L


I have to disagree with the fastest 3g network. My friend has a i phone 3g and i have a touch pro, we will stand in the same area and will connect to the same website, a...
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