AT&T exec kinda/sorta acknowledges the end of iPhone exclusivity someday

Vague, yes. But even so, the merest acknowledgment on the part of AT&T regarding the end of its exclusive iPhone offering still seems to qualify as news. And why not? Whenever the subject’s come up in the past, the carrier practically stuck its fingers in its ears and sang, “I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you.”

Not so this time. In fact, AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega didn’t dodge the issue with some trite, canned statements. He hit the topic head-on with analysts via conference call this week, saying that the carrier has a “legacy of having a great portfolio...that will continue after the iPhone is no longer exclusive to us," and that AT&T's success "will continue after the iPhone.”

Them’s tough words, chief. De la Vega sort of realized it too, and softened his approach as the call progressed. He toned it down with phrases like "even if we lose exclusivity," and then called up a bit of flattery: “Others will try to emulate them [Apple], but that device by far is the best in terms of ease of use.”

Does it reveal any new facts? Not really. At best, maybe it suggests that AT&T really does see the writing on the wall. And given the excellent Q3 numbers the carrier pulled in, which were largely attributed to the Apple device, no wonder its chief execs are a bit tense about possibly losing it.

[via Engadget Mobile]

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