Comments on: Report: AT&T looks to extend iPhone pact

The exclusive carrier of Apple's wildly popular smartphone is reportedly looking for another extension of their partnership.

[Larryblack--2008]

Apple- please do not renew with AT and T. The call drops are just unbearable. In major cities, calls shouldnt just drop. Unless they improve their network, do not do it!

[clsmithj]

Will not wait for that.
Palm Pre will be here in May and available from my Sprint service.

[TreesofMyTime]

OH NO!! Please Apple NO!

ATT is an arrogant bunch whose service sucks! When you buy something with a rebate, they give you an "ATT Credit card" that you have difficulty using. Then after you have had it a short time, it is not valid. Smart folks at ATT, it works as you planned!

If you want to call Europe from the US, you pay $1.49-$1.69 a minute unless you add "another" package to you plan. There is alway another "package that you have to buy to get anything!

Why not buy a less expensive card at retail and use an 800 number.

Once out of the country, forget it! I already give them $250 a month and once the contract is up, I want out! How about some competition???!!

[tranz4m]

ATT uses GSM. Verizon doesn't. It's not likely that iPhone will be on Verizon unless Verizon upgrades quickly.
Customer service at ATT has improved greatly over the last 3 or 4 years. So has their coverage. I can't remember the last time that I had a call dropped.
We have 5 phones on ATT.

[mooney101]

I would own an iPhone right now if it wasn't locked down to one carrier. I can't purchase an iPhone if it wont work I my area ! So I hope apple considers that, because I'm sure I'm not the only own who says that statement.

[Zaunto]

No matter how great the iPhone user experience may be, it's shortcomings and AT&T's network plus customer service will keep some folks from buying one. Myself included. There are less AT&T fanboys than their are Apple Fanboys. Some folks will buy a fruit flavored device from the fruit maker no matter how bad it or the network it's on sucks. They have an iPhone. NOW they are "Cool". LOL!!!

[yoyodyne]

I for one hope that Apple renews their contract with ATT!! That way the Apple iFanboys can froth at the mouth with their awful service.. For me, I'm elated with my BlackBerry storm! It does everything I need, both as a business device, and for entertainment; and as a plus, you have Verizon?s awesome worldwide coverage, and just to clarify the storm is also a GSM phone, it has the best of both worlds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGNMNF1mBDw

[MaggieRed]

A lot of cell phone business models are going to a flat monthly fee, no contract. If Apple is listening, they should insist on lower prices for a flat monthly fee based solution and drop the contracts. Only a few of the mega providers are hanging on to these ancient 2-year contracts.

[DonJuan4565]

I wish so bad the contract not being extended!!! AT&T minimum phone plan is way expensive considering what you get, and besides includes a huge 2 years contract, just unbelievable. Sincerely, in my opinion, it's not worth getting an iPhone under AT&T's rules, I never have, and I would be extremelly stupid if I would, no offense for those who have done so already.

[smitty1992]

iPhone + AT&T = AT&T's ability to stay alive
iPhone + Damn Near any other US carrier = AT&T's downfall

[quartzan]

Don't let it happen Apple! There are so many customers stuck with other carriers who would love to pick up an iPhone. Go sign the petition to show apple why it shouldn't be chained down to one carrier.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/i-would-buy-a-verizon-iphone

[DevinB999]

Not true. I have a blackberry pearl 8120 with a plan called blackberry minutes and mail where I have unlimited data, 1000 anytime minutes, and unlimited text and email for $59.99 a month. I don't even think you can get 1000 minutes and unlimited text for that price under ATT. Granted, its not 3G but its fast enough to use the Pandora Blackberry app with excellent sound quality.

[jafarm66]

I actually live in an area with good ATT service but would never goto them again due to 15-20 minute standby for a customer service call?? NO THANK YOU!!! I'd stay with Verizon or goto T-Mobile maybe Sprint though their wait times were around 10 minutes in my area. Personally I would not get an IPhone no matter who the carrier until Apple stops playing nanny with the apps. I bought the darn thing so if I screw it up due to a bad app its my problem. Also Apple needs to allow it to be unlocked for foreign travel so you aren't charged mega bucks per minute and can use a local sim card from the country you're . They don't need to worry about TMoble in the USA since T-Mobile's 3G network is in the 700Mhz spectrum which the Iphone currently doesn't have.

[Pretty_Prue]

AT&T rates are still very high for data plans, we paid extra and was able to get the unlocked 3G iPhones for our company from American Wireless for decent price and best of all did not have to pay the monthly fees for the Apple Data Package which saved us over $700 a lone for each line of service.

[Nerfherder007]

I think Apple should seriously consider an opened iphone that can run on everyone's networks and approach it from the same standpoint they did with consumers. Make more modular on the service end, so providers can carry the iphone with slightly varying options and services. The device is already primed for it.

As for AT&T, I opened my account with them and said I wanted an iphone. They insisted that, because of problems with the device, I didn't want one. They sent me 3 other phones, insisting the entire time that their customers weren't happy with the iphone and that AT&T was having more problems with it that it was worth.

After my last phone (the LG Incite) which I was told would allow me to have 8GB of storage with a Micro SD and would connect to my email (these were my only two "must-haves"), I called them as I stuffed it back in the box. "Enough is enough!!! Send me the iphone I asked for in the first place." They sent it to me, paid for it (I opened a corporate account with them and I was really mad about the experience), and shipped it to me free.

I got it the next day and haven't looked back. It's been great.

The point is that while AT&T seems to be selling the iphone, and happy to take the cash, I think there is something going on internally, where their sales staff are being told NOT to sell it, or to avoid it were possible. I don't know what that's about, but Apple should seriously consider walking. With the great sales they've had, I don't think AT&T has done all they can to push what is arguably the best device they've ever had.

As everyone has already said, If AT&T doesn't see the valie in the iPhone (and according my experience with them, they DON'T) I'm sure everyone else does. How happy would sprint be to have the iPhone on the only 4G network? I wouldn't go with them because I just left them for terrible customers service, but many would.

Think about it this way: Their deal with AT&T has put every other network in a position where they can't say what most already know. "The iPhone is the best!!" Drop the deal with AT&T and enable the iPhone to run on any network, and everyone will be saying it. Networks will be happy because they'll retain their customer base (in some cases), and the price of the iPhone will drop like a stone as the networks start to compete. It's the best deal for everyone involved.

As for AT&T's customer service, I agree with OS11. They're more like what they were 15 years ago when everyone loved them. (Unless if you want an iPhone). :)\

[Red-14]

i used to work on behalf of Applecare and to let y'all know, they take complaints VERY SERIOUSLY. if you have a complaint about the service you've recieved with either the wireless provider or Applecare Call in and Leave a complaint. ask to speak to a manager if you need to.

They (Apple) really do care about you and they truly do want you to have a positive experience with their products.