An open letter to Apple and AT&T

Dear Apple and AT&T -

I was very disappointed to hear that your exclusivity agreement would continue through the initial offering of the iPhone 4.  I am giving you a few options that I think are decent, and if you make these happen, I’ll be buying a new iPhone. But if you don’t make these things happen, I will be switching to an Android phone on a different carrier. I’ve been patient with you, but this patience has waned. Ultimately I want to stick with the iPhone, but AT&T is so terrible most of the time that I’m VERY SERIOUSLY contemplating switching to an Android phone like the HTC EVO. You don’t have such a huge lead on the competition anymore, Apple.

• AT&T – Offer better service in the mountains of Colorado, specifically in Grand County. I split my time between Denver and Tabernash. Unfortunately your service is beyond pathetic in Grand County. Add a fucking tower or two around there, and I’ll stick with you. I’d like you to make it 3G because Edge still fucking sucks. But I’ll take expanded Edge availability, too, if that’s all you’re willing to give me.
• Apple – Start selling your iPhone on multiple networks. I get this whole “5 year exclusivity” thing, but take a look at the meteoric rise of Android, which is available on many networks. Additionally, this distribution of your OS onto various networks will also distribute the load on each network. Meaning you won’t bog down the AT&T network, which barely works when a crowd of people are somewhere – like at a Colorado Rockies baseball game. I’m specifically looking for Verizon, Sprint or T-Mobile deals.

I’m giving you an ultimatum. Cave to one of my two demands and I’ll definitely be buying a new iPhone. Don’t, and I’ll be going with competitors of yours. I’ll give you until the end of 2010. That is ample time to fix my problems with you. And don’t say I didn’t warn you two.