AT&T Acknowledging Coming End of iPhone Exclusivity?

The Wall Street Journal
Alright, we know some of our readers scoff at every turn-of-the-screw detail on the expected end of AT&T’s exclusive iPhone deal.
But one telecom analyst thinks he sees a tacit acknowledgement that the end of the AT&T only U.S. iPhone is nigh.
CLSA’s Steven Fox writes: Disclosure from AT&T’s 1Q filing late Friday (6 August) suggests AT&T is preparing investors for its iPhone exclusivity to come to an end.
AT&T did not reference the iPhone specifically, but added significant new language about exclusivity, citing the end of exclusivity agreements related to a “number of attractive handsets”. Importantly, such language was not found in AT&T’s prior 1Q filings).
We continue to think Apple is likely to add Verizon by early 2011, which is not fully contemplated in our model.
From AT&T’s SEC filing: Although exclusivity arrangements are important to us, such arrangements may not provide a competitive advantage over time, as the industry continues to introduce new devices and services. Also, while the expiration of any of our current exclusivity arrangements could increase churn and reduce postpaid customer additions, we do not expect any such terminations to have a material negative impact on our Wireless segment income, consolidated operating margin or our cash from operations.