Apple is finally selling non-contract binding iPhones at their Apple Stores. at&t is also offering a similar deal but for some odd reason they have a limit of one device per customer. This is really great news, nevertheless, what will be the fate of a consumer who wishes to discontinue using at&t as a provider and just paid $600 for a smart phone that is currently only works with the at&t network. Are we seeing an early signal for an unlocked iphone and the possibility of other carriers being supported by iTunes?
I’m generally disappointed by at&t’s wireless service and I would have to say that a number of friends in our mountainous area agree with me that at&t’s coverage in the Colorado mountains has been less than sufficient and the number of missed calls is just becoming unbearable. Addicted to my iPhone and my ability to establish ssh connections directly to my servers along with all the other bling bling the iPhone has to offer I find myself stuck with a wireless provider I don’t appreciate and it would be really nice if I was able to use my device on some other network. There is a rumor about iPhone on Verizon and if the rumor is true, then we should expect the iPhones to be running on the most capable wireless network in the US this year.
With the slowing economy it just makes a lot of sense for Apple to target multiple wireless providers and maximize on the their profits by selling the phone directly to consumers who can in-turn choose their provider or switch providers as they please.
It is really time to end this legalized monopoly and give consumers a choice.