AT&T isn’t happy with the trend in the wireless industry towards short-term promotions.
In an interview with the New York Times, AT&T’s new mobility Chief Glen Lurie, said that AT&T feels like the increasing number of deals are muddling the market and confusing customers.
Lurie said that a “Deal of the Day” approach isn’t the way to win and keep customers, instead favoring a transparent and long-term approach to pricing.
On the issue of tracking customers through the use of so-called “supercookies”, Lurie said AT&T pulled back on an initial pilot program, saying the company needed more feedback from customers before proceeding further with the practice.
Lurie said that AT&T will continue to stress transparency where the use of customer information is concerned, noting the opt-in policies are a must regardless of which direction the company decides to go.
Lurie recently took over AT&T’s mobile business from Ralph de la Vega, who now runs the company’s global business services division. In the interview, Lurie said that the combined AT&T Mobility and Business Services group has created a number of advantageous synergies.
Prior to his recent promotion, Lurie was the head of AT&T’s emerging devices business, which includes the companies connected home and car products. He was also instrumental in negotiating the deal that would bring the first iPhone to AT&T back in 2007.
