Apple is pretty much admitting this: the reason for the exclusive deal with AT&T is so that Apple can share in that revenue. That means that the phone's economics don't work out as a stand-alone device (e.g. one that you can use with any carrier just by plugging in the chip for that carrier, like other GSM phones). It's not subsidized as much as the cheap phones that your carrier gives you for a steep discount in exchange for a signup, but they are subsidized.
Member since:
2006-01-11
Apple is pretty much admitting this: the reason for the exclusive deal with AT&T is so that Apple can share in that revenue. That means that the phone's economics don't work out as a stand-alone device (e.g. one that you can use with any carrier just by plugging in the chip for that carrier, like other GSM phones). It's not subsidized as much as the cheap phones that your carrier gives you for a steep discount in exchange for a signup, but they are subsidized.
That means that the UK law probably applies.