Apple, you need to dump AT&T

Oh, Apple, you’re such a catch. You could do so much better than AT&T. After all that’s happened this past week — just today, even — maybe it’s time for you to see other carriers.

When I first heard that you’d entered an exclusive relationship with AT&T, I was frankly a little concerned — not for lack of faith in AT&T but because you were limiting your options. But being, well, as controlling as you are, perhaps it made sense for you to limit yourself to a single partner, one you could watch closely at the opposite end of a short leash.

Like so many relationships, it started out pretty well. True, some haters tried to come between you and AT&T, to push you into other relationships. But you would have none of that. You were committed.

Then things turned rocky, you have to admit. You were relying on AT&T to give you the support you needed, but it failed on more than one occasion. And remember South by Southwest 2010? That was downright embarrassing.

Even so, you were prepared to maintain your commitment, to weather the storm. Your faith in your partner has been admirable — and understandable, given all the work you’ve put into the relationship.

But now, I’m really worried. Before, AT&T’s bumbling was, at worst, making you the butt of jokes. But over the past week, your partner is exhibiting lapses that are downright harmful to you and that reputation you’ve worked so hard to earn.

I’m talking about downright dangerous behavior — twice in the past week. These actions have not only made you look bad but have hurt your fans — and potentially driven them to your rivals.

And just today, AT&T made it clear that it can’t support your followers. Perhaps it underestimates your popularity. Perhaps it just doesn’t have the raw resourcees needed. But Apple, it turns off your base, and let’s be honest: Without your fans, you’re nothing.

So please, Apple, I know you’ve considered breaking up with AT&T — or at least playing the field a bit more. There are plenty of would-be suitors out there, all of whom would be thrilled to have a partner like you. How about that nice Verizon you’ve had your eye on?

I can’t be certain if any of them will meet each and every one of your taxing demands — but surely you can’t do any worse.

This article, “Apple, you need to dump AT&T,” was originally published at InfoWorld.com. Get the first word on what the important tech news really means with the InfoWorld Tech Watch blog.