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Apple's AT&T Deal Is Costly

I think that one of the reasons for the exclusive relationship were the critical changes jobs was able to force in ATT's offering approach and its relationsip w/the handset maker. Appl was the first co to force the telecoms to offer a fresh approach to the consumer. An offering to all carriers would not have allowed that -- Verizon had already balked. Jobs force a paradigm shift. The loss of revenue from unlocked phones is unfortunate, but there are many more innings to this game.