When I looked at the AT&T financial numbers last month, I had started to wonder this. It appeared to me the Apple had basically taken its profit out of AT&T's bottom line.
I also wonder how long this can last? My suspicion is that when the next contract period rolls around, the carriers may try and protect their financials, rather than focusing on customer acquisition.
This article is both superficial and ignorant. Here's some things to consider. at&t has:
* an enormous cost structure * consistent erosion of its landline business * adjusted ARPU growth in CY2011 * massive investment expense for both LTE and u-verse * bungling of the t-mobile acquisition