Jobs contemplated creating own cell network, says colleague
updated 03:25 pm EST, Tue November 15, 2011
Tech would have used Wi-Fi spectrum
Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs initially wanted to create his own wireless network, rather than turn to existing carriers, according to John Stanton. Stanton is the chairman of venture capital outfit Trilogy Partners, and explains that he spent time with Jobs between 2005 and 2007. "He wanted to replace carriers," Stanton said at Monday's Law Seminars International event in Seattle. "He and I spent a lot of time talking about whether synthetically you could create a carrier using Wi-Fi spectrum. That was part of his vision."
Jobs is said to have eventually given up on the idea around 2007. He nevertheless had a large impact on cellular carriers, Stanton suggests. "If I were a carrier, I'd be concerned about the dramatic shift in power that occurred," he claimed yesterday. The statement is a reference to the fact that prior to the iPhone, carriers often had the upper hand, controlling branding and services for devices. Apple, Google, and other companies now sell services where revenue bypasses carriers entirely.
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Why...
start your own carrier when you can just buy one? That nice little cash reserve Apple is sitting on could buy a controlling stake in Verizon or AT&T. It won't happen, but it's an interesting thought...