U.S. Cellular Turned Down iPhone Due to 'Unacceptable' Terms

U.S. Cellular says it turned down the opportunity to carry the iPhone due to 'unacceptable' terms, according to Fierce Wireless.

CEO Mary Dillon said carrying the Apple device didn't make economical sense on the company's third-quarter earnings conference call.

Dillon said that the carrier had the opportunity to sell the iPhone but that Apple's "terms were unacceptable from a risk and profitability standpoint." Dillon added that the potential strain on the company's network was not a factor in the decision, and that U.S. Cellular remains open to carrying the iPhone in the future.


Apple's subsidy fees are said to be way higher than those demanded by other manufacturers. For example, Sprint is paying an iPhone subsidy that is 40% higher than it pays other mobile device manufacturers.

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