[Funkstar]

This is definitely the case now. Ex clusive deals are very common in the US, so being exclusive on AT&T wasn't really that big of a surprise. But by the time they came to offer it round the world, the networks were lining up with big bags of cash looking for the same exclusive deal.

I also believe new contracts are signed for every new release, so at each hardware refresh, the networks turn up with more bags of cash.