Carriers

Tanking margins reportedly forcing US carriers to drop iPhone subsidies

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

Apple may be poised to become the world's first trillion dollar company thanks to the iPhone, but sustainability of the pricey handset is now being put into question. One prominent analysts warns that United States carriers such as AT&T - faced with plummeting margins at a six-year low - are now considering reducing iPhone subsidies and adopting stricter upgrade policies.

If instituted, these changes could result in a more expensive iPhone and an estimated worldwide drop in sales of 27.5 million units in the June quarter, with a revenue estimate $1 billion below consensus...

AT&T reportedly unlocking iPhones for deployed servicemen as well

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 10, 2012

The nation's second-largest carrier, AT&T, is beginning to unlock in-contract iPhones for the United States military personnel deployed abroad, a new report claimed Monday. As you know, AT&T is now unlocking out-of-contract iPhones for its regular subscribers.

The unexpected policy change has been instituted following unconfirmed reports last week that some disgruntled customers who had complained about the situation to Apple CEO Tim Cook via email saw their handsets unlocked.

As a result, AT&T subscribers can now slip in a SIM card from another wireless operator and use their 3G GSM iPhones with compatible cellular networks overseas and in the United States, such as T-Mobile USA (which welcomed the change)...

T-Mobile says it welcomes unlocked AT&T iPhone users with open arms

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Last week we heard a rumor that AT&T was going to start unlocking out-of-contract iPhones over the weekend. And sure enough, on Sunday we were able to confirm that this was indeed the carrier's new policy. We even showed you how to do it.

So now that you've unlocked your handset, you're probably wondering what the benefits are. Well aside from the improved resale value and the ability to use your iPhone abroad, you can take the device with you to another, less expensive, carrier.

In fact, it sounds like T-Mobile would welcome you with open arms...

Confirmed: AT&T now unlocking out of contract iPhones

Cody Lee ∙ April 8, 2012

On Friday, a rumor surfaced that AT&T was going to start unlocking out of contract iPhones for its subscribers. This is a big departure from the typical trials and tribulations you have to go through to unlock the handset, so we had to test it out.

I'm an AT&T customer, with an iPhone 4 that's been out of contract for quite some time, so I decided to give the carrier a call. And sure enough — at least judging from my experience — the company appears to be unlocking old iPhones...

AT&T to start unlocking off-contract iPhones this Sunday

Cody Lee ∙ April 6, 2012

Unlocking your iPhone can be a fairly tricky task. Unless you pay in upwards of $600 for a factory-unlocked handset, you could be required to jailbreak or even purchase a third-party SIM mod to use your iPhone on multiple carriers.

But according to Engadget, that could change this Sunday for AT&T customers. The site is reporting that it has received an anonymous tip that the US carrier will start unlocking off-contract iPhones starting April 8th...

Apple to add sixth US carrier partner later this month [updated]

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Earlier today we told you that nTelos had landed the iPhone. The Virginia-based regional carrier is scheduled to start offering the handset on Friday, April 20th.

But apparently it's not the only US carrier partner Apple is adding this month. Alaska Communications has also announced today that it will soon be offering the smartphone...

iPhone 4S still top-selling smartphone in the US

Cody Lee ∙ April 2, 2012

After months of redesign rumors, the iPhone 4S debuted last October without any kind of external changes. Much like the new iPad, the familiar-looking handset drew an onslaught of "disappointing" headlines from around the web.

But Apple obviously knew what it was doing. The 4S has broken a number of sales records, and helped Apple sell more than 37 million iPhones last quarter. And perhaps even more impressive, 6 months later, it's still on top...

AT&T says its upcoming Nokia Lumia 900 launch will top iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ March 28, 2012

Last October, the iPhone 4S launch set a number of records for both Apple and its carrier partners. AT&T claimed that it sold more than a million units of the popular handset, making it the most successful launch in the company's history.

But apparently the operator believes that it can top that with its upcoming Nokia Lumia 900 launch. The Windows Phone handset, which is scheduled to go on sale early next month, will feature LTE and a tiny $100 price tag...

Sprint says its network will be eligible for LTE iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2012

Even though Sprint became an official iPhone partner last fall, Apple snubbed the carrier earlier this month when it launched its new 4G-capable iPad to the masses. The tablet has been a staggering hit, breaking a number of various sales records.

There's also been some speculation that Sprint will be left out of Apple's LTE party again this fall — assuming the next iPhone features the tech — due to its lack of LTE coverage. But the Kansas-based operator doesn't seem to be too concerned...

Australian Government to sue Apple over “misleading” 4G iPad name

Cody Lee ∙ March 27, 2012

Well this isn't too surprising. TheNextWeb is reporting that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced plans to file a lawsuit against Apple in the next 48 hours regarding its "misleading" iPad WiFi + 4G advertising.

As most of you know, the wireless version of Apple's new tablet is indeed compatible with 4G networks here in the US and in Canada. But in other countries, including Australia, the slate is limited to 3G data speeds and, if available, HSPA+...

Leaked screenshot suggests Verizon shared data plans are coming soon

Jake Smith ∙ March 20, 2012

A new plan from Verizon that will allow its customers to share a data plan between their iPhone and iPad has been rumored to launch for quite awhile. In May of 2011, Verizon’s CFO Fran Shammo hinted towards it rolling out, but offered no time frame.

In January, we saw a picture of Verizon's back-end that hinted to the plan launching soon. Today, a screenshot of the family data usage calculator that will be used when first signing up for the plan has leaked, showing that the plan may be launching soon...

New iPad still doesn’t allow FaceTime calls over cellular connection

Cody Lee ∙ March 15, 2012

Even though it's been around for a couple of years now, FaceTime has really struggled to gain massive user adoption. Mac and iOS owners just aren't using it as much as you think they would for a free, no-hassle video-calling service.

One of the main reasons for its stumbles is the fact that iOS devices have not been able to make FaceTime calls outside of Wi-Fi networks (unless you're jailbroken obviously). And it doesn't look like that's going to change with the new iPad...