The consensus is growing: iPhone users don't like AT&T (actually, "don't like" might not be strong enough). From angry Twititions over 3GS prices to possible Justice Department investigations, sentiment is just not with AT&T. Yet, they still remain the only U.S. carrier with the iPhone, and are hoping to renew their contract with Apple, which ends next year.
That's what makes AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson's admission at the Fortune Brainstorm: Tech Conference so stark. According to CNET, he stated that, "There will be a day when you are not exclusive with the iPhone." While it's true that nothing lasts forever, it's not a positive message coming from AT&T's perspective (though it is one for iPhone owners).
AT&T's CEO acknowledged not only that it wouldn't have the iPhone forever, but that the Apple relationship is one of its most important strategic partnerships. That's probably an understatement, considering that 2/3 of the AT&T's newest subscribers signed up for an iPhone last quarter.
Still, we think that a different quote from the AT&T CEO was just as enlightening. From the Brainstorm Tech blog:
When asked if he was completely satisfied with AT&T’s relationship with Apple, Stephenson said, “I don’t think I could get my wife to say that about me so I don’t think I could say that about a business partner.”