An article from USA Today sheds some light on AT&T's agreement with Apple, reporting the telecom-giant will remain the exclusive carrier for the iPhone until 2010.
In exchange for subsidizing the handset, AT&T has obtained the sole rights to service the iPhone in the United States until the end of the decade. The cost? Approximately $300 per handset.
The 1st generation model brought the two companies together through a revenue-sharing partnership. Randall Stephenson, CEO & Chairman of AT&T, apparently saw it prudent to establish a long-term relationship with Apple, locking them into an agreement by shoring up some of the cost for consumers.
End result -- AT&T pays more to Apple, Apple lets AT&T pay them longer, and you pay less to Apple in the short-run and more to AT&T in the long-run. Get it?
