Verizon is reportedly to release its own branded Apple iPhone soon after the CES 2011. Report says that It could be before valentine’s day when it’s available. AT&T used to be the sole and the exclusive network carrier for Apple iPhone. The process went on and on, while the users had enough of the AT&T glitz. They wanted something new, something better and something far more flexible.
Report also says that the Apple will be showing of Verizon version of touch-screen iPhone and will conduct a product introduction before February 14th.
Charles S. Golvin, who works for Forrester Research says, “I’m sure some AT&T customers are sufficiently frustrated to switch, but the vast majority are at least happy enough.” UBS analyst John Hodulik predicts that AT&T will sell 8.8 million Apple iPhones in 2011, down from 15.6 million units sold this year. He also estimates that Verizon will sell 13.3 million iPhones next year.
The damage to AT&T’s financials might not be as deadly as some think. The carrier is not going to go under if it loses exclusivity on the Apple iPhone. Even if 6 million customers defect, the revenue would amount to just 10% of the estimated 2011 revenue for AT&T wireless, according to UBS. That also amounts to just 4.8% of the entire company’s 2011 sales.
Bloomberg Businessweek says that AT&T is not just going to be sitting back, crying about the lost revenue. The carrier plans on pushing alternatives to the Apple iPhone such as handsets loaded with the Android OS says former Verizon executive Mark Lowenstein, now a managing director of consulting firm Mobile Ecosystem.
More details yet to be available, we will be updating this article when more details come out. Anyway, what action would you take if you were AT&T customer with its own branded iPhone?
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