April 29, 2024

AT&T Outbid Other Carriers for the iPad?

Posted February 3, 2010 at 2:26pm by iClarified · 4618 views
FoxNEWS correspondent Clayton Morris is reporting that AT&T outbid every other carrier for the iPad leaving even him surprised.

"Where was Verizon? I thought it would be both carriers. As I reported before the event, Verizon appeared to be on board and was even working out the final details of the partnership."

Sources at Verizon say that the company is more interested in the lucrative iPhone contracts; however, the two companies are still "very much talking and plan to bring an iPhone and an iPad" to the CDMA network this year after AT&T's exclusive agreement with Apple expires.

Morris' sources believe AT&T was able to outbid every other GSM carrier with a $14.99 or $29.99 plan that gives customers 250MB or unlimited data, respectively.

AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel would only comment to say "we're very happy that Apple selected AT&T to be the main carrier partner on the iPad."

Considering the current plans available for netbooks, Apple managed to negotiate an excellent deal for iPad customers.

Morris provides the following examples:
● HP Mini 110 -- $60 for 5GB of monthly usage, or $35 for 200MB per month
● Acer Aspire One -- $60 for 5GB of monthly usage, or $35 for 200MB per month
● Apple iPad -- $29.99 for unlimited data and $14.99 for 250MB per month, with no contract, and you can cancel anytime

Given how important the iPhone has been to AT&T's bottom line. It is not surprising that they fought hard to be the official carrier for the iPad as well.

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