[lifeisabeach]

The entire 5-year exclusive contract thing is pure speculation... neither Apple nor AT&T have actually confirmed it. Besides that, it likely would be illegal since carriers are required by US law to allow cell users to unlock their phones for use on other compatible carriers after 2 years.

BTW... just to add fuel to the rumor... my wife has a friend who works for Verizon. She desperately tried to bash our iPhones early on (you wouldn't believe the misinformation Verizon feeds their employees about the iPhone!). Then, outta the blue a few months ago, she said they are supposed to be carrying it in the near future. It's possible she mis-interpreted something, but I can't imagine she outright made that up either.