AT&T says in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it doesn’t expect to suffer a “material negative impact” from the end of its exclusive arrangements to carry handsets, including its Apple-iPhone deal, reports the “Wall Street Journal” (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703309704575413672727878934.html?mod=rss_whats_news_technology).
AT&T has had exclusive US rights to carry the Apple smartphone since 2007. “We do not expect any such terminations to have a material negative impact on our wireless segment income, consolidated operating margin or our cash from operations,” AT&T said in the filing with regulators on Friday.
Explaining the lack of impact on its business, AT&T said more than 80% of its contract customers are on family or business plans that are less likely to see turnover, notes the “WSJ.” The company also said it now carries a range of smartphones, reducing its dependence on any particular one, and said new devices continue to roll out in the fast-changing industry.