Will the Apple authorise more carriers than just AT&T for its Iphone by the end of 2008?

Do you mean ... "have more Apple-authorized carriers in the US ..." -- or something like that? (not sure on the wording).

The iPhone has been unlocked for some time now. Some reports say 25% of all iPhones sold are unlocked -- and work with more than 69 carriers.

Barron's reports, "Toni Sacconaghi, an analyst at Bernstein Research, repeats his previous estimate that 25%-30% of iPhones sold to date have been unlocked for use with carriers other than the one authorized by Apple."
<http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2008/02/22/apple-hits-lowest-level-since-june-new-iphone-worries/?mod=googlenews_barrons>

iPhone now software unlocked in 32 countries and 69 carriers
<http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/13/iphone-now-software-unlocked-in-32-countries-and-69-carriers/>

We tested with an active T-Mobile SIM -- after the hack was finished and we reactivated we immediately got full bars and the T-Mobile carrier info popped up in the top bar.
<http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/24/iphone-unlocked-atandt-loses-iphone-exclusivity-august-24-2007/>

I've edited the title from "Will the Apple Iphone have more carriers than just ATandT at the end of 2008?" to clarify it.

um in the US please

and legally

stephen,

You are asking if ANY new carrier will be allowed to offer carry the iPhone in the USA, right?

lucidstates

Well the question, as it's currently worded, doesn't specify the United States only... so the answer would clearly be "yes".

@timkraan: if so, the outcome of the question has been clear at time of creation so the question should be voided

I think, lucidstates gets it right.

Apple is known for locking things down (Itunes, ipod touch, iphone) not a chance, at least not in the us or canada

As I noted in the clarifications (but didn't copy over) this only refers to the US. The iPhone was available through other carriers outside the US at the time of question creation therefore it would not make sense to include other countries.

Well Apple signed an exclusive contract for American distribution of the Iphone, so they can't legally authorize anyone else in the States. What was the question creators intent, and are 50-50 starting odds probable since it would be against the legal contract they have with At&t.

Well, since it is 1,000,000% obvious that Apple will NOT allow any other carriers in the US to carry the iPhone since they are in a multi year contract with AT&T, then I am betting BIG on NO because it pays really well and is a GUARANTEED MONEY MAKER!!! WOOT :-D

Thanks for the clarification Nigel and Destry! I am gonna make a killing :-D

@lucidstates..contracts are broken, bought out, ammended, etc all the time.

@dieseldog ... You are correctomundo, however, this would most certainly cause ALLOT of publicity prior to occurring and thus I'd have PLENTY of time to get out of the way, but the likelihood is nearly infinitely small :-P