Apple <3 AT&T - Ch 13 Strategic Alliances

http://www.applemacgeniusville.com/2009/07/02/att-iphone-3g-enterprise-data-plans-scam/
When Apple launched the first iPhone in 2007, The only carrier (which luckily was my carrier) was AT&T. This partnership, or Strategic Alliance has lasted even to today. Many people started to become angry with this partnership given the "lack of service" AT&T had for some time. Also there were customers using different carriers that wanted the iPhone. It was not until 2011 when the iPhone 4 was released that another carrier was able to sell the iPhone (Verizon). This was the end of AT&T's monopoly with the iPhone but not the end of their strategic alliance as it continued to but AT&T first with its new products until recently.
AT&T will still be the first carrier thought of when the iPhone is talked about and even though Apple's products are now offered in several different carriers, the strategic alliance lives on.
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/iphone/iphone-faq/iphone-carrier-exclusivity-buying-unlocked-iphone.html