iPhone 5 Release Date: US Cellular Carrier Chose Not to Carry iPhone
United States Cellular, the sixth largest carrier in the U.S., made a decision not to carry the iPhone 4S due to Apple’s terms of business.
According to the wireless network, Apple used some "unacceptable terms" while attempting to agree regarding the new device’s potential addition to the carrier.
U.S. Cellular’s CEO Mary Dillon commented on the matter during a third quarter conference call with analysts.
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“Dillon said that the carrier had the opportunity to sell the iPhone but that Apple’s ‘terms were unacceptable from a risk and profitability standpoint,'” reported Fierce Wireless. “Dillon added that the potential strain on the company’s network was not a factor in the decision, and that U.S. Cellular remains open to carrying the iPhone in the future.”
Dillon remains open to the possibility of carrying iPhone in the future, so U.S. Cellular could have it available when the iPhone 5 is released.
U.S. Cellular falls short of giants Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T in size.
The Chicago-based company services around 6.1 million customers in half the U.S.’s states. C Span, a close rival to U.S. Cellular, will sell the iPhone 4S on Nov. 11.
Telefonica Czech Republic AS carrier also dropped its prior iPhone models due to bad “business terms.”
The iPhone generates much business for carriers, but can sometimes cost too much up front to begin selling the device.
It could take smaller carriers years to recover from the investments made to carry the iPhone.
