Apple Must Move iPhone to Other Carriers
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5.
Any changes in sight?
Apple
needs to determine if AT&T will be doing all that it can in the coming year
to change the perception of its brand as the worst provider of mobile service
in the United States.
If it's clear after talking with AT&T that the company won't do enough,
Apple should weaken its strong bond with AT&T as quickly as possible. After
all, why should Apple's brand be tarnished by AT&T's poor service?
6.
It helps Google
Now
that AT&T is considered the worst carrier in the United States, it will
probably take little time for Google to exploit the iPhone's exclusivity on
AT&T's network for further proof of why Android is more viable. After all,
Android-based devices are available on all carriers and not just AT&T's
network. That's an important distinction that Apple cannot allow Google to
capitalize on.
7.
Android smartphone makers also benefit
If
Google can benefit from the Consumer Reports review, it's entirely possible
that Android smartphone makers can do the same. Companies like Motorola, HTC
and others are currently offering the top iPhone competitors, including the HTC
Droid Incredible and Motorola Droid X, on Verizon's network. If they can use
that to their advantage, they might be able to capitalize
on the iPhone's AT&T exclusivity.
8.
Enterprise
concerns
The
iPhone might not be the most enterprise-focused smartphone on the market, but
it is making some strides in that space, thanks to interested IT
decision-makers. However, with AT&T being called the worst carrier in the United
States, some companies that might have been
considering moving to the iPhone on AT&T might think twice. If they're
already AT&T customers, it won't matter. But if they aren't, those
companies will likely stick with their current carrier until the issues are
worked out. That's something that Apple should keep in mind.
9.
It hurts sales
If
one combines many of the previous factors for why Apple should distance itself
from AT&T, one result becomes immediately apparent: Sales
of the iPhone will be hurt. AT&T plays a role in iPhone sales. In some
cases, it helps them, and in other cases, it hurts them. With a poor rating
from Consumer Reports, this is one of those cases where AT&T will hurt
iPhone sales. If Apple can distinguish its smartphone from AT&T more
effectively than it has in the past, the company can probably go a long way in
salvaging some potentially lost sales.
10.
It's ditching exclusivity anyway
As
Apple has done in so many countries around the world, the company will
eventually end the iPhone's exclusivity in the United
States. And when it does that, it will be
free to deliver its smartphone to any other carrier. Considering it will be
doing that anyway, perhaps now is the best time for it to announce a new
partnership. With AT&T on the ropes when it comes to service quality, the
last thing Apple should want to do is reinforce that it's exclusively in
AT&T's corner over the long haul.
