AT&T has been animated by iPhone users who've been severely irritated with its service, however, that hasn't inhibited Microsoft from naming the carrier a "premier partner" for the launch of Windows Phone 7 devices in the U. S.

Apple widely hoped that Apple might also disclose details of the next-generation iPhone, when Apple held its much-anticipated press event launching the iPaw, or announce the end of its exclusivity arrangement with AT&T as the sole distributor of the iPhone in the United States. However, the expectations were shattered.

Microsoft is reported to finally unveil Windows Mobile 7--rebranded as Windows Phone 7--and also extends its support behind AT&T.

Microsoft reportedly plans to distribute Windows Phone 7 devices through all four of the major wireless carriers in the United States, but Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer singled out AT&T as a "premier partner".

AT&T has been aimed by a variety of complaints from users--primarily iPhone users--who are frustrated with spotty 3G connectivity, and saturated or slow data speeds, among other things.

Currently, there are a large number of current iPhone users who feel enslaved to AT&T against their will as

AT&T has already announced that it seeks to invest heavily in beefing up its network data capacity, and recently initiated plans to proceed rolling out next-generation 4G access beginning in 2011.