According to a note from Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu, who closely follows Apple, the iPhone 4 should be headed to another network this coming fall, with T-Mobile the likely candidate.
Wu cites weekly check-ins with Apple suppliers, and concludes that AT&T will be the exclusive carrier for only nine more months, at the very most.
T-Mobile is the front runner simply because its GSM technology is similar to AT&Ts whereas Sprint and Verizon use CDMA variants.
Wu also notes that T-Mobile sees the iPhone as a way to win back customers it has lost to AT&T so they are more likely to settle for Apple's terms, which usually includes a share of revenue.
Peter Dobrow of T-Mobile USA responded to the rumor: "T-Mobile does not comment on rumor or speculation...Would we like to offer the iPhone to T-Mobile customers in the U.S.? You bet. Ultimately though it is Apple's decision on who carries its product."
Regardless, Wu says Apple is finally feeling the squeeze brought forth by Android OS device sales, which have been picking up speed at a rapid pace and needs to open up its own market.
T-Mobile is the front runner simply because its GSM technology is similar to AT&Ts whereas Sprint and Verizon use CDMA variants.
Wu also notes that T-Mobile sees the iPhone as a way to win back customers it has lost to AT&T so they are more likely to settle for Apple's terms, which usually includes a share of revenue.
Peter Dobrow of T-Mobile USA responded to the rumor: "T-Mobile does not comment on rumor or speculation...Would we like to offer the iPhone to T-Mobile customers in the U.S.? You bet. Ultimately though it is Apple's decision on who carries its product."
Regardless, Wu says Apple is finally feeling the squeeze brought forth by Android OS device sales, which have been picking up speed at a rapid pace and needs to open up its own market.
