AT&T exec implies iPhone exclusivity in U.S. ending

From InfoWorld: AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega strongly implied today that the carrier's exclusive deal to sell the iPhone in the U.S. is ending, although he gave no details in a conference call with analysts.

Asked in a question-and-answer session what AT&T plans to do should the exclusive deal come to an end as has been rumored, de la Vega said the iPhone is a good source of new subscribers , but is only part of a smartphone portfolio that gives good results.

"We have a legacy of having a great portfolio...that will continue after the iPhone is no longer exclusive to us," de la Vega said. "We think we will continue after the iPhone...to drive [results]...."

De la Vega said that while the iPhone has been a "good source of new gross [subscribers] for us," the new subscribers from the iPhone in the third quarter was only one-third of the total from all devices.

AT&T is thought to be losing the exclusive iPhone deal it has had in the U.S. for more than two years, possibly to competitor Verizon Wireless. Many believe the deal will expire in mid-2010 .

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