By Mani Raj
Apple and AT&T are discussing whether to extend AT&T's exclusive right to offer iPhone service in the United States. Their current deal expires next year.
Apple sold nearly 14 million iPhones last year. Consumers have already shown that iPhone is a hot device and they are willing to switch to AT&T from other mobile carriers.
47 percent of new AT&T iPhone subscribers switched from Verizon Wireless, 24 percent came from T-Mobile and 19 percent from Sprint, according to the report by the NPD Group.
If Apple decides to terminate its contract with AT&T next year, there is a possibility that it could offer the iPhone through other CDMA carriers, including Sprint, Verizon, MetroPCS and U.S. Cellular.
iPhone's massive popularity has helped AT&T more than double its wireless customers, with 77 million, versus landline customers of 30 million. Industry experts speculate that Apple may stay exclusive with their new partner/s but they also predict that might eventually end their exclusivity.
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