iLoungeiLounge
  • News
    • Apple
      • AirPods Pro
      • AirPlay
      • Apps
        • Apple Music
      • iCloud
      • iTunes
      • HealthKit
      • HomeKit
      • HomePod
      • iOS 13
      • Apple Pay
      • Apple TV
      • Siri
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
      • CES
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Font ResizerAa
iLoungeiLounge
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Apple
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Follow US

News › iPhone

iPhone

AT&T CEO regrets unlimited iPhone data, fears iMessage

Last updated: May 13, 2021 4:58 am UTC
By Charles Starrett

Speaking in a recent on-stage interview at the Milken Institute’s Global Conference, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson made several comments about the iPhone. According to The New York Times, he was particularly hard on the company’s decision to introduce the iPhone with unlimited data. “My only regret was how we introduced pricing in the beginning, because how did we introduce pricing? Thirty dollars and you get all you can eat,” he said. “And it’s a variable cost model.

Advertisements

Every additional megabyte you use in this network, I have to invest capital.”

Stephenson also said we worries about potentially disruptive new technologies replacing the company’s own offerings, singling out iMessage as one example. “You lie awake at night worrying about what is that which will disrupt your business model,” he said. “Apple iMessage is a classic example. If you’re using iMessage, you’re not using one of our messaging services, right? That’s disruptive to our messaging revenue stream.”

Finally, Stephenson briefly mentioned the board meeting in which the company discussed whether to carry the iPhone.

At the time, the company was named Cingular, and was headed by Stan Sigman; Stephenson was on the company’s board. Sigman was enthusiastic about the product’s potential, even though he had yet to actually see the device. “I remember asking the question: Are we investing in a business model, are we investing in a product or are we investing in Steve Jobs?” Stephenson said. “The answer to the question was, you’re investing in Steve Jobs.

Advertisements

Latest News
The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air 256GB is $150 Off
The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air 256GB is $150 Off
1 Min Read
New Dynamic Island to Have ‘Significant’ Upgrades
New Dynamic Island to Have ‘Significant’ Upgrades
1 Min Read
Samsung Might Not Include a ‘Plus’ Phone Model Next Year
Samsung Might Not Include a ‘Plus’ Phone Model Next Year
1 Min Read
The 128GB iPad Mini 7 Wi-Fi is $120 Off
The 128GB iPad Mini 7 Wi-Fi is $120 Off
1 Min Read
New Apple TV+ ‘Chief of War’ Trailer Released
New Apple TV+ ‘Chief of War’ Trailer Released
1 Min Read
New ‘Improved’ Vision Pro to Launch This Year
New ‘Improved’ Vision Pro to Launch This Year
1 Min Read
‘The Morning Show’ Season 4 Premieres on September
‘The Morning Show’ Season 4 Premieres on September
1 Min Read
The AirPods Pro 2 is $100 Off
The AirPods Pro 2 is $100 Off
1 Min Read
OLED MacBook Pro to be Delayed
OLED MacBook Pro to be Delayed
1 Min Read
‘Trash Can’ Mac Pro Moves to the Apple Vintage List
‘Trash Can’ Mac Pro Moves to the Apple Vintage List
1 Min Read
Next Apple Studio Display Slated for 2026
Next Apple Studio Display Slated for 2026
1 Min Read
The 11-inch M3 iPad Air WiFi 128GB is $120 Off
The 11-inch M3 iPad Air WiFi 128GB is $120 Off
1 Min Read

iLounge logo

iLounge is an independent resource for all things iPod, iPhone, iPad, and beyond. iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, Apple TV, and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc.

This website is not affiliated with Apple Inc.
iLounge © 2001 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Submit News
  • About Us
  • Forums
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?