The article and the comments aren't 100% in relation. I'm under the impression that AT&T and AT&T wireless are treated as seperate entities. ATT wired seems to be laying off employees, not ATT wireless.
So in effect, the iPhone, VZW, Sprint are really no comparison when it comes down to this article.
I think ATT is being pro-active instead of reactive, which sucks.....but it makes much more sense than waiting untl you have to go to the feds to seek low cost loans.