AT&T Wireless CEO not worried if Verizon gets the iPhone

That's the word from AT&T honcho Ralph de la Vega this morning at a JPMorgan tech conference, as reported by Business Insider. Now Ralphie is not sayin' Verizon will get the iPhone, but he thinks if they do it will have a minimal impact.

He told the crowd that switching carriers is a tough thing for many customers to do. He said that 70% of AT&T customers are on family plans, which are tough to get out of. He also said that 40% of AT&T customers are on corporate discount plans, which can be a pain to let go of.

AT&T has been the exclusive source for the iPhone for the last 3 years, while Apple has often moved to multiple carriers overseas. The majority of AT&T complaints have been dropped calls, poor signal strength, and the lack of tethering, which was promised but hasn't been delivered as yet. It appears to be built into the soon to be released iPhone OS 4, but having the capability and turning it on are two different things.

Survey after survey shows customers unhappy with AT&T, and the company has responded with some increased expenditures in cities that had really bad reception issues and a re-branding.

Would Apple add Verizon to get existing Verizon customers who want the iPhone, thinking that most AT&T customers will stay with what they have? How about you? Would you ditch AT&T for Verizon, even if you had a family plan or corporate discounts?

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Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/att-wireless-ceo-heres-why-we…

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That's the word from AT&T honcho Ralph de la Vega this morning at a JPMorgan tech conference, as reported by Business Insider. Now...

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sds65805

I've had an iPhone for 2 years, but just dropped AT&T for Verizon. Love the iPhone, but hate AT&T. Got tired of having no service within a 10 mile radius of my house. I live 7 miles ouside of a major suburban area in NC. Just got a Droid X and have 4 bars on my couch. As yet, I haven't found a dead space anywhere in the Carolinas.

July 26 2010 at 1:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Concerned Citizen

Yes, I would drop AT&T if the iPhone becomes available through Verizon.

May 22 2010 at 1:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

phillipsb

Would drop AT&T in a heartbeat and might even if I have to move to an Android phone.

May 21 2010 at 2:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

studio

I HATE VERIZON

May 21 2010 at 1:44 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

ragu6307

Family plan. Corporate discount. Not 100% happy with ATT; not terribly frustrated. I drop 100% of calls when passing a certain spot in Austin (Camp Mabry anyone?) and probably 1 in 20 overall. I virtually always get 3G and I travel lots, both domestic and internationally. That said I could only consider switching if it also worked globally...

Any VZ users out there have phones that work in Europe, Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan, India, etc, etc??? [real question]

May 20 2010 at 10:26 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Walkabout

AT&T is fine in the big city I live in, but traveling across country at Christmas, I was without service more than with service. In the hills of Tennessee, everyone had Verizon and service but I didn't. I currently have an education discount contract, but would wait until it is up and would surely consider switching to Verizon.

May 20 2010 at 8:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Bob Meyers

I'd leave AT&T for Verizon also. I just prefer Verizon better than other carriers.

May 20 2010 at 2:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Bob Meyers

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May 20 2010 at 2:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Joe Mayerik

Me and my family sharing / corporate account wife would switch for better service.

May 20 2010 at 12:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Bones13

I did ditch AT&T when my iPhone was stolen/lost. I am making do with a Droid with Verizon until the iPhone comes to Verizon.

I also make do with an iPod Touch and iPad.

May 20 2010 at 12:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply