Survey: iPhone already impacting cellular
updated 10:05 am EDT, Fri August 3, 2007
Survey: iPhone impact
The release of the iPhone is already beginning to skew the demographics of the cellphone industry, just a little over a month after its release, according to a ChangeWave survey. The group found that of those surveyed, the iPhone by itself had taken a one percent market share, and it was the cellphone of choice for 16 percent of those planning to buy within the next six months. This figure is said to be higher than for any other manufacturer; the same can be said for customer satisfaction, with 77 percent of iPhone owners saying they were "Very Satisfied" with their purchase. By comparison, only 50 percent of RIM Blackberry owners had the same answer.
Cellular networks are themselves beginning to show signs of iPhone impact. While Verizon market share has dropped for the first time in over a year, to 29 percent, iPhone carrier AT&T's share has risen to an all-time peak of 28 percent. Similarly, 30 percent of those planning to switch carriers within six months have chosen AT&T, while Verizon interest has continued to slide to 19 percent. T-Mobile is down to five percent, while Sprint has fallen to three.
AT&T does not rank as highly in terms of network satisfaction, however. Verizon leads in this area at a 46 percent rate of "Very Satisfied" responses, versus AT&T's distant 31 percent. But given trends since the iPhone's announcement in January, ChangeWave is arguing that the overall momentum is in Apple and AT&T's favor.
when the iPhone can roam
08/03, 11:19am reply
I am looking forward to when Apple can not be limited to just selling iPhones that only work with AT&T. When we can get them on T-Mobile and Verizon etc... freedom of choice and such will really help the iPhone grow.
moose26
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2007
Re: moose26
08/03, 11:37am reply
Where have you been for the last 6 months? Apple has an EXCLUSIVE with AT&T in the US for the next 5 years. By that time, the iPhone will not be anywhere near what we have today.
Unlikely that they will be on Verizon anytime soon since they use a totally different system (CDMA) than almost everywhere else in the world (GSM) including AT&T and TMO in the US.
Tummy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2001
Good point, moose.
08/03, 11:50am reply
:) Verizon aside however, I have no idea what the 5 year exclusive contract says specifically about grounds for contract termination, but as long as AT&T has the dough, Apple probably won't stray anyway. If AT&T were to prove unable to drive sales in a positive direction (or worse, allowed counter productive sales practices), Apple might then have grounds to wander. Pure speculation on my part, since I don't know the exact terms and terminology of the contract. :)
Flying Meat
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2007
att sucks
08/03, 04:32pm reply
period.
redwood
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2003
ATT does not suck
08/03, 05:17pm reply
period. At least not compared to the rest of the cell phone industry. Verizon is the worst of them all when it comes to phone design. Want pictures off your phone- GOTTA PAY! T-mobiile's coverage sucks, sprints customer service and billing sucks, and al-tel just sucks.
In the end, I'm glad Apple went with ATT. They are not perfect, but they are the best out there- and Apple is slowing removing the crappy things about them.
apple4ever
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2001