When Apple introduced the iPhone 3G, it was available in 22 countries (but not Vermont). Soon, the iPhone will be available in 77 different countries.
The background chatter has been intensifying in recent days about whether Vermonters will join the rest of the developing world and be able to buy (and use) the iPhone. Legally.
Seven Days even received several tips that folks visiting local Unicel stores (the carrier that AT&T is buying, the exclusive service carrier for the iPhone) were told that within weeks Unicel will be transformed into AT&T Wireless outlets.
A quick check uncovered that AT&T is hiring in Vermont. There was even some great discussions at iBrattleboro about jobs coming to the area.
The Burlington Free Press has had a couple of interesting blog posts about the coming of the iPhone, including this fun series of posts by Jackie Kazil. But business reporter Dan Mclean dashed all hopes in his most recent post. He’s certainly repeating the conventional wisdom I’ve heard from certain powers-that-be in Vermont (see below).
That said, my local Unicel rep said it’s likely an announcement about AT&T Wireless (and therefore the iPhone) coming to Vermont will happen within a week. But, it’s not likely Unicel stores will be closed and remade into AT&T outlets until after the holiday season. I mean, really, why close down for a week to renovate when you could be selling phones, right?
Other iPhone watchers, including Don Mayer at Small Dog Electronics, and Stephen Wark, a spokesman for the Department of Public Service, aren’t convinced that the deal will close that quickly. Both it could well into next year before iPhones become ubiquitous in the Green Mountains.
“AT&T has a contract to acquire the Unicel system and customers in Vermont, which is awaiting the approval of the FCC. The particulars are still in flux, but there were some underlying concerns about an acquisition creating a monopoly,” said Wark, whose department regulates phone carriers. “We do not know when it will be approved or what the final result will look like. It could be by the end of the year, or it could be sometime next year.”
That was a similar take to the one I received from Big Dog Mayer at Small Dog.
“I do not think that the iPhone will be here in time for the holidays. I believe that the deal between AT&T and Verizon regarding the transfer of Unicel is pretty much done but now needs approval of the FCC,” said Mayer. “I have spoken to the lawyer representing AT&T and with the Communications Workers Union and my best guess is that it will be sometime in the spring before the IPhone officially makes it to Vermont.”
When the iPhone arrives, it’s not likely that Small Dog will sell the devices. But, for anyone hoping to trick it out and find just the right accessories for the iPhone, they’re the spot.
Until then, i’ll have plenty of fun with my iPod Touch — which is the Vermont version of the iPhone. It’s everything but the phone part.
This article appears in Nov 19-25, 2008.
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I assume Unicel is doing this so they can clean up on holiday sales. And who is being left by the wayside on this one? The consumer as usual. I wouldn’t buy a Unicel plan until AT+T takes over. Get on with it! I want an iPhone and I want to buy replica louis vuitton saleYes, I’ve heard that there is 100% AT+T coverage in VT now. The Unicel towers have been calibrated. I just heard from a source at Unicel that the reason we don’t have the iPhone (legit) yet is that Unicel and AT+T are squabbling over holiday sales. replica louis vuitton bags many style
I dont know how else to keep saying it. Get an iphone and live and travel around VT every day like I and all the others here do.
Basically Unicel is stalling on the construction of 10 towers in Vermont Burberry bagthat need to be finished before AT+T can take over as part of the agreement made by/with the FCC. I assume Unicel is doing this so they can clean up on holiday sales. And who is being left by the wayside on this one? The consumer as usual. I wouldn’t buy a Unicel plan until AT+T takes over. Get on with it! I want an iPhone and I want to buy it subsidized by AT+T notMIU MIU handbag full price from Apple. Is that still the case or could I buy one for $199/$299?
dsfsd It may take a while before the actual iPhone is sold in Vermont. Estimates from unicel stores place the release date just after the holidays
I’ve been reading an unofficial iPhone blog for a while now. Not only is AT&T hiring, but Unicel stores have begun the transition to AT&T stores. The stores will be selling AT&T service within the next couple of weeks.It may take a while before the actual iPhone is sold in Vermont. Estimates from unicel stores place the release date just after the holidays. However, you can buy the phone anywhere and as long as you can port your number and receive AT&T service you’re golden. Service will be available before the phone.
Yes, I’ve heard that there is 100% AT+T coverage in VT now. The Unicel towers have been calibrated. I just heard from a source at Unicel that the reason we don’t have the iPhone (legit) yet is that Unicel and AT+T are squabbling over holiday sales. Basically Unicel is stalling on the construction of 10 towers in Vermont that need to be finished before AT+T can take over as part of the agreement made by/with the FCC. I assume Unicel is doing this so they can clean up on holiday sales. And who is being left by the wayside on this one? The consumer as usual. I wouldn’t buy a Unicel plan until AT+T takes over. Get on with it! I want an iPhone and I want to buy it subsidized by AT+T not full price from Apple. Is that still the case or could I buy one for $199/$299?
There is 100% iphone att tower service in VT RIGHT NOW. I dont know how else to keep saying it. Get an iphone and live and travel around VT every day like I and all the others here do.