iPhone Exclusivity Extended Another Year?

According to a USA Today report, says AT&T's US exclusive on the iPhone has been extended for an additional year, until 2010. The extension has not been officially announced, but was stated in a interview with AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson.

Wonder why the smoking-hot 3G Apple iPhone only costs $199, less than half the price of the original? Here's a two-word hint: Randall Stephenson.

Stephenson, who became AT&T's (T) chairman and CEO a year ago, championed the idea of paying Apple (AAPL) about $300 per device, analysts estimate, to help hold down the retail cost. The subsidy, which replaces another arrangement that gave Apple a portion of iPhone service revenue, will dilute earnings through 2009, AT&T says.