AT&T Still Growing

"We are the most open wireless company in the industry (Cauley, 2007)."

With the wireless industry booming and so many companies trying to make a name for themselves it is no surprise that AT&T finds itself in the running at the front of the pack. With technology like the I-phone and Genus it is obvious why they are one of the best wireless services providers in the nation. AT&T now offers their customer the option to use other devices other than those that are solely owned by AT&T and even allowing them to do it without signing a contract. This is a big change from when they would only allow you to use their technology and in order to do it you had to sign a two-year contract. Now if you want to buy the I-phone you will find that it is still linked to the two-year contract and that AT&T has a contract with Apple to be the only provider to sell it for five years.

Companies like AT&T have to always be thinking one step ahead of the competition if they are going to thrive in the world of technology. Without new innovative ideas they will not be able to draw in the customers needed to make their company successful. For AT&T that is not an issue; they recently released the “TerreStar Genus, a Smartphone that can use a satellite network when AT&T's cellular wireless network is unavailable (Hamblen, 2009).” What a brilliant idea and it is said to beat the Microsoft version called Windows Mobile. Even though most of us can not squeeze the extra cash out of our budgets right now to purchase this high priced commodity, it is only a matter of time before it is more affordable.

As long as AT&T is flexible with the needs of customers they will find themselves to be very successful. If they do go to the open platform for mobile services it will be one reason that people jump ship on other providers since most of us prefer freedom at anytime compared to binding contracts. Whether you purchase an I-phone or the new TerreStar Genus you will be with one of the most successful mobile service providers in the world and one that is more in tune with what the consumer needs and wants.

Cauley, L., (2007) AT&T flings cellphone network wide open, Retrieved October 7, 2009 from http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/telecom/2007-12-05-att_N.htm

Hamblen, M., (2009) AT&T unveils dual-mode Genus smartphone, Retrieved October 7, 2009 from http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/093009-att-unveils-dual-mode-genus.html?page=2