Does Apple Want To Be Its Own Carrier?

How would you feel if Apple had their own carrier network? Instead of having to cater two different sets of iPhones to two or more different carriers, why not do it all in-house instead? Well if you’re for Apple having their own network, perhaps the notion isn’t so far fetched after all. A patent filed in 2006 that was recently extended describes Apple’s plans to set themselves up as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) but with a little change.

Typically MVNO’s lease mobile network capacity from just one carrier, but in Apple’s case it seems that they plan to make contracts with all the carriers. The idea behind it is if carrier A had some spare capacity in an area, while carrier B was full, carrier A could offer discounted rates to lease the spare capacity they have to Apple, making some money and not letting that spare capacity go to waste. So basically wherever you go, you would be able to get the best service and at the best rates. Perhaps this could work on a international basis, reducing the rates or even the need for roaming services.

While carriers have always been supportive of carrying Apple’s products due to high demand, if Apple were to come up with their own carrier services those carriers would probably not look on too kindly to the added competition. However if and when such a service does come to fruition, do you think Apple would open up their services only to their iOS devices or will they welcome Android and WP7 devices with open arms?