Apple's phenomenal run with the iPhone continues. And you have to wonder if the weight of the TCO AT&T and its other global telecom partners add were lighter (over 5 years the telco share could be over 90% in the models I have built) how much more it could sell.
I had an interesting discussion recently about how much AT&T's channel has helped iPhone sales versus Apple's own brand. I would say 25% AT&T, 75% Apple. Overseas, since Apple is not as well known I would say 50/50.
It is a constant discussion I have with software vendors on how influential their service partners are. Surprisingly little - but the market perception is that channel helps drive lots of software revenue. If the relationship was monogamous on both sides I would be little less cynical, but service partners are constantly looking for what products keep their staff bench empty - there is little loyalty. And the the expense of implementation and other services (2 to 20X cost of the software) from these partners does slow down software sales.
Same with Apple's telco partners.
