AT&T losing iPhone exclusivity on Wednesday?

AT&T’s lock on the iPhone could fall as soon as Apple’s special event on Wednesday, a contentious rumor claims. A purported contact within the carrier says exclusivity should end along with the January 27th date. The tipster doesn’t say who would join AT&T in supporting the iPhone, though Verizon has often been cited as the most likely pick, in part for the large subscriber base as well as the frequently cited network strength

The HotHardware contact does, however, outline an AT&T strategy that the company has indirectly confirmed itself. The company would “compensate” for losing sole rights to the iPhone by carrying smartphones on platforms it has previously ignored. The carrier has already said it would offer several new smartphones in the first half of the year that includefive Android devices as well as Palm’s webOS phones, most likely GSM versions of the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus. It’s also noted anecdotally that AT&T has lately deemphasized its exclusivity and has instead focused on attacking Verizon.

Most pundits expect Apple to focus primarily if not exclusively on a tablet device at its event on the 27th, but this could include the option of Verizon for 3G data in addition to AT&T and would open the door to other handhelds on the same network.

Via electronista

Tags: amp apple carrier company contact event exclusivity handhelds iPhone network new smartphones pixi pundits sole rights subscriber base tipster verizon webos