Apple wouldn't be buying a carrier to turn into the next ATT or Verizon, they would be doing that to hopefully better the user's experience, and customize the plans according to what iPhone users need them for, without the dealing with att.'s or verizon's crap. It's not like they will be bringing in customers from all places with their regular phones, it will be just Apple iPhones. For that reason, I think it would do them good. It wouldn't be cheap to do, but Apple has enough cash to buy a company up, and significantly upgrade their infrastructure. I could definitely see it as a possibility, but the backlash from the current networks selling the iPhone would probably cause some kind of lawsuit and involvement of the FCC.