T-Mobile USA Emerges as Likely Next US Carrier to Get Apple's iPhone

T-Mobile USA, the distant fourth in the US mobile service market, is likely to become the next carrier to offer Apple's popular iPhone, according to Kaufman Bros analyst Shaw Wu. Wu's prediction contradicts the general consensus surrounding Verizon Wireless, which has been the subject of most iPhone rumors due to its market leadership and desire to offer the device. However, Wu believes that T-Mobile USA's use of similar cellular technology to AT&T, the current exclusive provider of the iPhone, makes it the most likely candidate. Additionally, T-Mobile USA's need to win back lost customers and its willingness to agree to Apple's terms could also contribute to its likelihood of securing the iPhone.

Key Takeaways:

• Kaufman Bros analyst Shaw Wu predicts that T-Mobile USA will be the next US carrier to offer Apple's iPhone.
• T-Mobile USA's use of similar cellular technology to AT&T makes it a more likely candidate to secure the iPhone.
• T-Mobile USA's need to win back lost customers and its willingness to agree to Apple's terms could contribute to its likelihood of securing the iPhone.
• Verizon Wireless, while a market leader, has a network that runs on a technology not currently supported by Apple's iPhone.
• The newest version of iPhone would also work on 2100 Mhz frequency of wireless spectrum, which T-Mobile USA uses.
• T-Mobile USA views the iPhone as key in winning back lost customers and may be more likely to agree to Apple's terms.
• AT&T's exclusive rights to the iPhone are unlikely to last forever, as the company has conceded in public.

Statistics:

• T-Mobile USA has 34.6 million subscribers, according to its parent company Deutsche Telekom's 2009 annual report (Source: Deutsche Telekom Annual Report 2009)
• Verizon Wireless has 91.1 million subscribers, according to its parent company Verizon Communications' 2009 annual report (Source: Verizon Communications Annual Report 2009)
• AT&T has 85.2 million subscribers, according to its 2009 annual report (Source: AT&T Annual Report 2009)
• Apple sold 16.6 million iPhones in the December quarter, according to its 2010 annual report (Source: Apple Annual Report 2010)

Sources:

• Deutsche Telekom Annual Report 2009
• Verizon Communications Annual Report 2009
• AT&T Annual Report 2009
• Apple Annual Report 2010
• Euclid Infotech (Copyright 2010) distributed by Contify.com