Verizon Wireless, the current largest carrier in the U.S., may have its crown snagged by AT&T in the near future, a recent study reveals. After a five-year fiscal report of the country's top wireless carriers, IE Market Research has predicted that AT&T will surpass Verizon as the nation's largest carrier in 2011. IE Market Research points to AT&T's increasing growth rate and their iPhone exclusivity, as well as Verizon's decreasing growth as of late. By 2014, AT&T is predicted to have 127 million subscribers with 34.8 percent marketshare, with Verizon trailing at 118.7 million subs and 32.5 percent marketshare.
IE Market Research's prediction is definitely an interesting one, especially with all of the recent rumors that AT&T's iPhone exclusivity will be ending as early as January 2011. It's unclear how big of an impact a Verizon iPhone would have on these predictions, but if AT&T does lose exclusivity, they'll need to get some other attractive exclusives to entice customers to their network. Considering how huge Android has been as of late, especially on Verizon, AT&T would do well to get themselves a DROID-caliber Android device in the near future. What do you think of IE Market Research's predictions, readers?
