BU Now » AT&T

iPad rival from Verizon/Google

Dick Taffe — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:53:06 +0000

Verizon and Google are teaming to develop a tablet computer in their combined effort to catch up with Apple‘s iPad and host AT&T. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, head of the Information Systems Department, is researching competition in business network and says this is a new form of competition — not between firms but between pairs or clusters of firms.

“The real question is whether it will be a Google-branded tablet like NexusOne or Android-OS running on multiple variations of touchscreen tablets manufactured by many different hardware vendors.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Apple planning non-AT&T iPhone

Dick Taffe — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:40:29 +0000

In what could break the AT&T monopoly on iPhone sales in the U.S., Apple Inc. reportedly is planning to produce an iPhone that can be sold by other carriers like Verizon using the CDMA wireless network. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, chairman of the Information Systems Department, says it’s a strategic move by Apple to establish superiority in the USA.

“Consumers love Verizon’s network and that has allowed Google’s Android to gain a stronghold. This will ensure that consumers get iPhone on their favorite network and then Apple can migrate them to iPad and other future devices.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Report: DoJ probing telecom industry

Dick Taffe — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:52:19 +0000

The Justice Department reportedly has launched a probe to see if large U.S. telecom companies (AT&T, Verizon) are abusing their recently won market power. For instance, are wireless carriers locking up popular smart-phones by having exclusive agreements with handset makers? School of Law Professor Keith Hylton, an expert on antitrust law, can look at the possible ramifications.

Contact Keith Hylton, 617-353-8959, knhylton@bu.edu

Apple may offer iPhone via Verizon

Dick Taffe — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:39:44 +0000

School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, chairman of the Information Systems Department, says word that Apple may be expanding its iPhone offerings beyond the AT&T network to include the Verizon network shows Apple’s market power.

“Apple is the market leader — not because of share but due to its ability to define the rules of the game. With its iPhone, it redefined the rules of engagement with the network carriers. Over the last two years, they have succeeded in making sure that their point of view is embraced by the carriers.

“Now, as it seeks to expand beyond a niche market, Apple is again trying to write the new rules of engagement. Will it continue with exclusive links with AT&T and forego market expansion possibilities or offer different products for different carriers?

“I think it will offer different products for different carriers in the next go-around. And in doing so, Apple retains its role as a leader in setting the rules. It has huge power by virtue of its app store and billion downloads.

“The carriers have to decide if they are competitors to Apple’s app store or partners in co-creating the ecosystem.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu