Despite Policy, AT&T Stores Taking iPhone Pre-orders
Submitted by Chad Shmukler on
There may be some good news for those of you who are hoping to avoid scrambling to get your own Apple iPhone when the device finally arrives in stores. Despite a well publicized AT&T policy that the iPhone would not be available for pre-ordering and that stores would not have a waiting list, it seems that employees at AT&T's retail outlets are taking matters into their own hands.
USA Today reported in an article published today that AT&T has exclusive rights to the iPhone in the United States for a period of five years. That's right, FIVE years. Exclusivity agreements between mobile phone device manufacturers and service providers are nothing new, especially in the United States. That said, a 5 year exclusivity agreement is unheard of.
After approximately six months of FCC scrutiny, the Apple iPhone has gained FCC approval. This pending approval was the only known obstacle still standing in the way of Apple and AT&T putting iPhones on store shelves.