AT&T has been a long time supporter of Windows Mobile by carrying a variety of devices over the years in the US. Now they are claiming they will be the premier carrier for the forthcoming platform from Microsoft. Does that bode well for users buying new Windows Phone 7 devices this fall?According to ComputerWorld, an AT&T spokeswoman said that "We'll be the premier carrier for Windows Phone 7." I am not sure exactly what that means, but perhaps the device count has something to do with it. According to the article, AT&T is buying eight million Windows Phone 7 phones. While no time period was given, I'd have to guess that was over two to three years.

What about the network though? Mention AT&T and smartphones in the same sentence and people immediately think of network problems. It turns out that isn't the problem many articles and bloggers would have you believe. According to this CNN poll, 73% of iPhone users are "very satisfied" with AT&T. It may be the case of the vocal minority making a mountain out of a molehill. By the way, at the bottom of that article is a stat saying that only 20% of Android users would buy another Android phone, an alarming statistic. Read this blog from the Yankee Group to see where that stat came from and why it is misleading at best.

I am sure Microsoft is thankful to have a partner that considers themselves to be the premier carrier, especially one that already has the iPhone in their stable. After the Kin fiasco, I am left wondering how much Verizon really cares about Windows Phone. They are also having enormous success with Android, so why invest heavily in another platform? I am not saying that Verizon won't be there at launch, but if they weren't, I'd certainly understand.

Microsoft is fortunate to have a top tier carrier embracing Windows Phone 7 so enthusiastically. It is essentially a 1.0 device that is coming out right in the mix of Android and iPhone enjoying huge successes, both of which are also carried by AT&T.