AT&T emerging devices continue to emerge

“Overarchingly we are very pleased with how the network is performing,” Lurie said. “We are pleased with what we’ve learned from having high-end devices. We are without question the leader in smartphones, including the iPhone, driving laptops that are connected and laptop cards… We are very comfortable and very excited about bringing these devices to market, and our network is going to be a big positive, which is why many of these OEMs, including Plastic Logic today, are choosing AT&T to be their partner.”

The emerging devices initiative will become even more important if AT&T loses its exclusive iPhone relationship with Apple or if the rumors of an Apple netbook running on Verizon’s network come to fruition. Both Sprint and Verizon Wireless are also pursuing their own mobile broadband plans with a particular push in the netbook arena. Lurie said he expects other competitors to follow Amazon and Plastic Logic into the eBook space too. Sony, for example, already has its own eBook Reader on the market and should have an updated version soon.

“Everyone always asks, we are approaching 100% penetration, so what’s the high?” Lurie said. “I know people have thrown out crazy numbers like we’ll get to 500% penetration. I honestly don’t know, but every which way we look at this, we believe this is the next big opportunity. That is the reason that my team, the Emerging Device team was formed, and that’s why we have the focus that we do.”