While 63 percent of iPhone users would stick with AT&T if the carrier ends it exclusivity deal with Apple, about 23 percent - or 1.4 million customers - would jump ship to Verizon, according to a report from Credit Suisse.
If the option existed, about 3 percent would switch to Sprint, 2 percent would move to T-Mobile, and 9 percent were not sure. Nonetheless, Credit Suisse said talk of the damage to AT&T if it lost the iPhone exclusivity is overblown, according to the report, which was published on Business Insider.
Broken down a bit further, about 20 percent said that if another carrier offered the iPhone, they would still stay with AT&T because they are completely satisifed. About 26 percent of respondents said they would stay with AT&T if the carrier improved its network, while 17 percent said they would stay with AT&T because of a family plan or corporate discount.
Only 3 percent of current iPhone users are willing to break their contract to get rid of AT&T, however. About 18 percent said they would switch, but only when their contract expires.
Meanwhile, about 8.1 million current Verizon customers are waiting to buy an iPhone, Credit Suisse said.
Rumors about when Verizon - or any other carrier - might get the iPhone have been swirling since Apple's popular smartphone made its debut in 2007. The latest rumor is that Verizon could nab the phone as early as January 2011. There were also reports that T-Mobile might get the iPhone before Verizon.