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Working with AT&T
How do I work with AT&T?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions from developers. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to answer, because as you can imagine, AT&T is a large company with many products and businesses. To help you navigate the waters at AT&T, we try to put as much information as possible on the AT&T Developer Program site.
For example, this Launch section, provides information that makes it easier for you to work with AT&T.
We want you to be successful. Here are answers to some other commonly asked questions about working with AT&T divided into categories:
- Engaging with AT&T
- Developing mobile apps
- Emerging devices
Engaging with AT&T
How do I partner with AT&T?
There are many potential partnership opportunities with AT&T. If you are in the business of
selling to enterprises, and you have developed an enterprise mobile application, a good place
to start is the Industry
and Mobility Alliance Program(IMAP).
How do I sell to AT&T?
Each group at AT&T does some of its own purchasing. Most groups work through some form of a
RFI or RFP process. When AT&T initiates a purchasing effort, we go to extensive efforts to
find and include relevant vendors in the RFI or RFP process.
How can I get an AT&T Account Manager?
In some sections of the AT&T Developer Program site, we suggest that you speak with your
AT&T account manager. What do you do if you do not have one? There are a few options.
First, try the Apps Beta program. Besides being a great way to get feedback on your app from real AT&T customers, this process can get you noticed by AT&T account managers.
Second, interact with AT&T account managers at industry events where AT&T is participating.
Third, send an e-mail to the AT&T Developer Program. Indicate the type of assistance you need and the kind of application you have.
Another option is to sign up for an AT&T Open Call contest. This gets you recognized within AT&T—and makes you eligible for great prizes!
As AT&T moves forward, we try to make personal connections less important. This way you can accomplish more without needing to establish these kinds of relationships.
How can I meet with an AT&T executive?
We understand you would want to talk to our executives and gain their solid advice.
Unfortunately, like most executives, their schedules are extremely busy. The best way to rub elbows with our executives is to attend an event where AT&T participates or hosts. One such event is the AT&T Developer Summit where executives often mingle with developers during the day.
If you come to an event and meet with an executive, have your quick elevator pitch ready:
- Who you are.
- What you do.
- What applications you've developed.
- Why the app is unique.
- Your specific question or request.
You may have very limited time to speak with executives. Be prepared, be brief, and be to the point.
If you are looking for a longer, in-person meeting, first work with an AT&T account manager. In most cases, an executive meeting may not be necessary. If a meeting is necessary, they can help you prepare for a successful meeting.
How can I succeed at events like AT&T Open Call or get AT&T to help market
or sell my application?
A couple of years ago, we released the Survival Guide for Developers. It addressed this
question in a light-hearted way.
In general, for our co-marketing programs or contests, we look for innovative applications that we think our customers would love. As you meet with representatives of the AT&T Developer Program or anyone within AT&T, have a one-minute elevator pitch ready. Address what is unique or special about your application and how your app delights customers or solves their problems.
What are you looking for in potential apps?
This is another difficult question, since the answer varies.
At times, we search for apps that meet a particular need or appeal to a specific target market.
At other times, we may not be looking for any particular app. Instead, we look for something new and interesting. In that case, you need to demonstrate why you want to work with AT&T to sell your app, and how AT&T can benefit from working with you.
To assist with promotions, AT&T has a variety of marketing tools at its disposal, and has some control over our devices. Depending on what a developer is looking to do with AT&T for promotions, we will consider working with companies of a certain size or with a salesforce of a certain size.
Keep in mind that, while there can be great rewards, working with a carrier can be a lot of work. Should you choose to do your own marketing, check out the resources in the Launch section. We cover many yourself Do-It-Yourself marketing tools. These can help you take advantage of opportunities to market and sell your application.
Developing Mobile Apps
How can international developers work with AT&T to sell mobile
apps?
AT&T has no barriers to working with international developers, but do keep in mind that
over 90% of Web traffic to our sales portal is from the United States.
One interesting fact with mobile development is that, in any market, the creation and sales of a large portion of applications come from that particular country. While some large software companies do sell mobile applications successfully in a multi-country context, many of those companies have local personnel working in each of the countries.
How do I get my application pre-loaded?
Most developers know that easy discoverability of an application is vital to gaining consumer
success. You can probably guess that those easily discovered applications tend to get more
downloads and generate more revenue. Having an application pre-loaded on a device makes
discoverability easy. Our customers assume that on-device apps are the best. It is natural for
a developer to want pre-loading of an app.
The fact is AT&T and our OEM partners simply cannot pre-load dozens of applications on a device. Customers often complain when they think there are too many applications to download.
The simplest answer to how we select apps for pre-loading is that we look at the best selling applications in the applicable storefront.
How do I get devices pre-release?
Many applications sell as soon as a customer gets a new device. Many devices sell heavily soon
after release. As this shows, and by the emergence of Web sites like Engadget, Gizmodo, and Boy
Genius, there is tremendous interest in pre-release device information.
AT&T has to be cautious about sending out pre-release devices. We know this can make it difficult for developers. To address developer needs, we have started releasing specifications sooner.
Why can't I access services like SMS directly from AT&T?
In the past, the process to do a direct bind could be time-consuming and expensive for many
developers. It made sense for most to go through an aggregator where they get cross-carrier
support.
Now, when you need access network services like SMS, MMS, LBS, or WAP Push, you can learn more about the AT&T Network Services Gateway.
How do I know which devices and platforms to develop for?
To help you select a platform, we developed the Mobile Application Planner (MAP) to provide guidance. Beyond that, there is no one correct answer. You should be careful about "following the herd." Come up with your own strategy that makes sense for your app and target market.Regarding the device question, you need to consider:
- What are the particular device features?
- How may your application take advantage of the device features?
We know developers always want to know which devices we expect to sell the best. This is difficult to share before releasing devices. When released, look to featured devices on the Web or in our retail stores.
Why does AT&T block some content that some customers want (like pornography)? AT&T already has controls to protect minors. There could be some good revenue here.
We review all content sold on an AT&T store for appropriateness. Although some customers would like to have better access to every form of content, many of our customers like the fact that AT&T screens content.
Our policies here are not likely to change.
To avoid any delays in the review process or possible rejections, be sure that your content adheres to the current AT&T Mobility Content Standards & Application Requirements.
Emerging Devices
How do I enable a device other than a mobile phone to run on the AT&T Network
and where can I get information on such device certification?
Visit the Web site of the Emerging Devices
Organization at AT&T. It includes information on partnering with their group,
pre-certified modules, testing, and more.
Created: 03-29-2010
