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More evidence that iPhone critical to AT&T subscriber growth

More evidence that iPhone critical to AT&T subscriber growth

A consumer survey that asks about switching mobile carriers shows high interest in AT&T for the month of May. Historical data shows that interest in switching to AT&T is driven mainly by the iPhone.

AT&T’s quarterly results over the last two years have highlighted how important the iPhone has been in helping AT&T increase its subscriber base. Over 40 percent of iPhone subscribers are new to AT&T, and they contribute to higher revenues. A recent report from market research firm ChangeWave now suggests that iPhone exclusivity is more critical than even AT&T admits.

ChangeWave’s survey results asked customers about switching mobile carriers, and the results show that a full third of the people considering a switch are looking to move to AT&T in the next six months. That’s the highest percentage since ChangeWave started tracking these results.

But the historical data also reveals a couple interesting trends. Interest in switching to AT&T first rose above 20 percent when Apple and AT&T announced the original iPhone in January of 2007. Interest spiked at 30 percent with the introduction of the iPhone in June, and again at 32 percent when the iPhone 3G was introduced in July of 2009. The promise of new iPhone hardware expected to launch early this summer is likely driving the jump to 33 percent in ChangeWave’s most recent survey.

Also, AT&T has managed to outpace Verizon in interest among potential carrier switchers ever since the iPhone was introduced. This comes despite Verizon being consistently rated as having higher customer satisfaction and fewer dropped calls than AT&T, as well as having exclusive phones of its own, such as the Blackberry Storm.

This chart shows the percentage among those looking to switch to a particular carrier—AT&T vs Verizon—in the next 6 months.

AT&T’s current exclusivity deal with Apple is set to expire in 2010, though AT&T is believed to be in negotiations to extend that to 2011. Further, there are rumors of the iPhone becoming available on Verizon as early as next year, though both Verizon and Apple contend such a move isn’t likely until Verizon rolls out its 4G LTE network.

AT&T is likely to ride the iPhone wave for at least another year, or perhaps a little longer. ChangeWave’s survey suggests that, despite complaints that the iPhone is not available on other carriers’ networks, customers don’t seem to mind switching to AT&T all that much.

[Thanks: http://arstechnica.com]