Exclusive Phone Deals Put Carriers at Risk
Thu, Feb 5th, 2009 |
Over the past 18 months, several new smartphones have entered the market following the first Apple Inc. iPhone. Wireless carriers have capitalized on these devices by arranging exclusive distribution deals.
AT&T Inc. is the sole wireless carrier selling the iPhone in the U.S., while Verizon Wireless distributes the BlackBerry Storm and T-Mobile USA offers the G1 , the first Android-based device. Sprint Nextel Inc. plans to be the only U.S. carrier to offer the upcoming Palm Pre with its new operating system.
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I would have purchased an iPhone by now if it was made available to Verizon users.