I know that Apple doesn’t typically enter into business by buying an established company in the sector, but rather does so in its own way, either by creating a company for that purpose and/or partnering with another company in that sector. There are examples of this, such as the Apple Card, Apple Studios, and Apple Energy, although the latter is only used internally.
But I’ve wondered why Apple hasn’t launched its own ISP or Mobile Operator? For example, Google has one called Google Fiber and its mobile operator called Google Fi, although it’s actually an MVNO.
The closest thing I’ve found to an ISP or Mobile Operator is Apple’s 20% stake in Globalstar, which allows Apple devices to send an SOS message to satellites. I’d like to know if Apple has a division or subsidiary that is an ISP or mobile operator for internal use, or if they haven’t wanted to venture into it due to the risks that may exist in that sector.
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The solid decision to stay out of that business was made when Jobs signed the deal with AT&T for the iPhone. Apple handles the device. AT&T handles the network. This ensured iPhone would not get bogged down by carrier software, branding, etc.
By contrast, Android launched on carrier devices, like the T-Mobile G1 and Verizon Droid, and Google has gotten deeper into those devices over the years, from app stores to messaging. Taking on the carrier role is in line with that creep and Google’s mission to access and use the world’s information.
Because Apple isn’t stupid. There’s no money in being an ISP unless you’re willing to do things Apple doesn’t want to be perceived as doing.
Apple had eWorld — that was their last foray into being an ISP, and is likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future.
Never heard of that, a long time ago?
Ah ‘94-‘96
Users of eWorld were often referred to as “ePeople.”
lol
In another timeline everything is called ePhone, eMac, eMacbook, ePod, eBook, eMac Pro, ePhone X, etc.
The better question is why would they?
it’s a vastly different type of business. It’s more like building roads than consumer electroinics.
Laying down the Infrastructure for that would be extremely costly, and would cause the line to go down momentarily. Even for a WISP, it’s a lot more work for not a lot of pay off.
