CEO Confirms: Pre Coming to AT&T

Palm Pre - AT&T

While we await whatever announcements Jon Rubenstein has for us tomorrow at the D7 conference (we kinda hope it's not push email for all IMAP accounts, because we kinda sorta just stole that thunder), AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson brought us some Pre news at the conference today.

After defending his network's glass jaw and complaining about how much data the iPhone uses, CNN reports that "Stephenson added he sees AT&T selling the Pre after the exclusive arrangement with Sprint expires."  We pretty much expected it, but it's nice to hear it from AT&T themselves.

As to when Sprint's exclusivity ends and how this all relates to the rumored Palm Eos, we have no answers, only questions.  What? You thought the official release date on Sprint would end the rumors and speculation surrounding webOS devices?  For shame.

 
Filed Under: News; Tags: AT&T

Comments

Ouch. Anyone know how long they are exclusive with Sprint? Poor sprint, can't catch a break. Sprint had better get their s--t together with getting new blackberry's faster or they are going to die a slow death.

Poor Sprint? Sprint has a lot of money left in the bank. Palm, on the other hand doesn't. Palm needs to be everywhere and on every network.

I completely agree! Yay Palm! Nonetheless, we all know that Sprint's network is superior.

their network isn't superior in my neck of the woods. everyone i know with Sprint has dropped calls all the time.

I'd prefer a decent price on an unlocked GSM phone as a long-time Palm customer.

palm's exclusivity usually last for 6 months, although they might be obligated to stretch it longer (or to start the 6 months later) if palm can supply enough devices to meet launch demands.

the more people get the pre, the faster it will be jail-broken... so I, a sprint customer, am very excited for at&t to get the pre.

The term jail-broken, jail-break, etc, is easily the most moronic thing I've ever heard.

Why would the Pre be unlocked by an iPhone-specific utility?

Why would it be unlocked at all? Palm doesn't have the same death-grip on the applications.

A 3G phone on AT&T is a 3G phone that drops your calls...

With the new iPhone release, HSPA+ Updates, and 850mhz overlays, AT&T's network is going to be spitting blood mid-surgery...

Guess this depends on where you live.
I've had a 3G phone on AT&T for about a year now and never dropped a call.

@ dcdttu

Agreed.

Cmon Pre, come to Israel with GSM D:

Part of me wants the Pre (and WebOS) to go to other carriers because it will help the app store and Palm to survive (what happens to the phone if Palm files for bankruptcy?)

Part of me thinks its only fair for it to be exclusive to Sprint. I would have had an iPhone long ago had it been available on Sprint or if AT&T had coverage where I work.

Fair? Exclusivity is never fair, especially for the consumer.

"Stephenson added he sees AT&T selling the Pre after the exclusive arrangement with Sprint expires." That is not a confirmation, it is speculation, if you need some salt I will give you some. No one knows how long this exclusive period is, Sprint can just as easily rework the terms of the contract. Several months ago Sprint and Palm officially said, "no comment." Why would anyone want the Pre on AT&T?

In the past, I have commented that I really want to see a GSM Pre. I still do, but this story and the one before about limited availability and manufacturing issues seem to be a calculated message from AT&T to blunt the hype about the Pre.

It has been noted that many iPhone users are nearing the end of their two-year contract and AT&T doesn't need to open the floodgates to churn.

I look forward to getting my Sprint Pre so I have a 3G slingbox device.

If this ends up being true then I'll most likely be waiting.. will save me from having to switch carriers.

What a bunch of suckers. Pre going to AT&T? The CEO is just spreading FUD to keep you guys from going over to Sprint. Just like that EOS announcement that came out a while ago. AT&T will spread stories and keep you waiting and waiting to keep you from moving over to Sprint for the Pre. They may come up with a PalmOS phone. Then again they may not. All the while they keep you as a subscriber and take your money and try to work something with Palm that may or may not happen.

I can't wait for the Pre to come to Verizon. I have a Centro on Verizon and I've never dropped a call (in CT or NYC)and the data speeds are great. I've never had problems with their service, customer service, or products and I get a discount there from my employer. Hurry up to Verizon!!!

Impromptu poll.
I live in the D.C. Metro area. Which is the best service inside and around the beltway?

I'm on Sprint, but I do hope the pre goes to all the carriers eventually. Like some, one of the reasons I don't have an iPhone is because I don't like AT&T's service at al. I want the phone to go out to as many people as possible so I don't want anyone to use the "I'd get it but not on that carrier" excuse.

Why? More carriers, more people using the device. More people using the device, more interest in developing apps for the device. Which means better features. And I also don't want Palm to have any excuse for not taking webOS to the limit.

The pre needs to become a threat to the iPhone. This will make the iPhone better in the long run. Which will make Palm continue to innovate and that cycle will benefit us consumers. I really want Palm and Apple at each other's throats so that we consumers can continue to get better products.

Now...come'on June 6th...or 7th...or whenever the lines die down.

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