Wired magazine have written an excellent article about the exclusive relationship between Apple and AT&T, and its now up online in its entirety — and on newstands/iPad editions too. It’s an intriguing look into a partnership that neither side seems particularly happy with. Apple was unimpressed with AT&T’s reception woes, and Steve Jobs apparently discussed dropping the telecom at least a half dozen times.
AT&T, on the other hand, were having trouble with the high data demands of iPhone users; the fact that the radio chips in the iPhone were more suited towards European antennae configurations; Baseband errors; and that Apple was unwilling to reign in customer data use.
So, why didn’t Apple jump ship to Verizon? Because the different sized chips would necessitate a complete redesign of the iPhone, and the network might not be that much better.
It’s a fairly long read, but worth it to see just how rocky the relationship has been between the companies, even from day one.
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Ah…because Verizon is not international and therefore has a limited customer base
I think there is something we need to get straight, Verizon was offered the iPhone first and turned it down because they didn’t think it would be successful. Verizon does not have the best coverage ATT does. Watch the commercials, they have the biggest 3G coverage and ATT has the best coverage. People tend to believe Verizon has a perfect network. They have a slower 3G network and their plans are expensive. The cost in my opinion is what will decide the customer base. I just sick and tired of this Verizon would solve everything way of thinking because it is not true.
Does this author know how to use proper grammar? “Wired magazine have written” … “AT&T, on the other hand, were having trouble” – Singular, not plural Tim.
Companies and organizations can be referred to either as singular or plural, depending on preference. American English usually uses singular, and British plural, but both are acceptable. Some insist that one be used over the other, and there is an argument that you use the singular form when talking about the organization as a whole, and the plural when referring to constituent members within the group. If we were to take the latter example, “Wired magazine have written” would be correct, as the entire magazine hasn’t written the piece, just a single author from within.
It’s a debatable point, but thank you for bringing it to our attention.
Thank you for the explanation and for your lack of negativity.