AT&T CEO: iPad will be mostly used on WiFi, won't drive many new 3G subscriptions

[allaboutsymbian]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/03/3mar10oub452.jpg (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0218356720100303?type=marketsNews)We all know by now that AT&T has secured the rights (http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-ipad-3g-service-plans-on-atandt-30-for-unlimited-data/) to furnish US iPad owners with 3G connectivity, but apparently the market desire for that service won't be quite as big as we might have expected. That comes straight from Randall Stephenson himself, AT&T CEO and eternal believer (http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/23/atandt-ceo-admits-iphone-wont-be-exclusive-forever/) in the power of i-branded devices, so it may have some legitimacy to it. Surely Randall's dearest wish would be to announce his network is about to be overwhelmed by new subscribers, and the rather cooler news has already caused a small dint in AT&T's stock price. Then again, this is hardly shocking news given that 3G on the iPad can be had on a month-by-month basis without contract (http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/ipad-vs-iphone-what-does-3g-cost-you/), and in truth any subscriptions related to it would have to be achieved by AT&T's own ingenuity -- which, judging by its CEO's comments, won't be suffering any undue exertions any time soon. Not only that, Randall's also taken the opportunity to advise us that higher data rates are likely for intensive users of unlimited 3G data plans -- whether on the iPad or on smartphones. Way to endear yourself to the masses, dude.AT&T CEO: iPad will be mostly used on WiFi, won't drive many new 3G subscriptions (http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/atandt-ceo-ipad-will-be-mostly-used-on-wifi-wont-drive-many-new/) originally appeared on Engadget (http://www.engadget.com) on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).


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