More rumors on the Verizon-iPhone front
If USA Today says it, it must be truthy -- hence the enthusiasm for today's report that sources close to the discussions are confirming an ongoing confab between Apple and Verizon on the topic of bringing everyone's favorite smartphone to America's most popular cell carrier. The future prospect of a Verizon iPhone, originally rumored and countermanded for this year, has perked up the ears of AT&T naysayers around the USA.Although the paper cites Verizon's CDMA network as the target for the iPhone deployment option, most other observers (including Verizon executives) have noted the upcoming LTE/4G network, built atop the GSM standard that the iPhone already knows and loves, as the likely deployment environment. Robert swooned over the possibility of an LTE-enabled iPhone back in February; of course, way back in 2007, Verizon's attitude towards Apple's phone was far less conciliatory.
Even though AT&T is eager to hold onto its exclusive deal for iPhone in the US as long as it can -- and there's plenty of financial motivation already -- there's enough meat to this report to make me believe that Verizon-Apple negotiations are more than a stick to push the incumbent carrier toward a better deal. Getting earlier access to LTE (AT&T's buildout is at least a year behind VZW's) and more domestic options for the phone would be a win for Apple, as would a more generous revenue sharing plan with AT&T.
What's not clear to me is the percentage of would-be iPhone buyers who have so far avoided the phone because of carrier exclusivity and the two-year contract requirement. If having Verizon as a choice would flip you from the 'no' to the 'heck yeah' column, pipe up.
Update: Just discussed the Verizon rumors with Randall on TechVi.
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If USA Today says it, it must be truthy -- hence the enthusiasm for today's report that sources close to the discussions are confirming an...
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Yes, I am waiting on a Verizon iPhone. I would immediately switch over.
June 09 2009 at 9:06 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyPLEASE bring the iPhone to Verizon. I have a been a happy Verizon customer for 10 years (it was actully called Airtouch at that time). I always have cell service even in areas that my friends with AT&T don't. I really want an iPhone, but am reluctant to switch to AT&T because of the spotty service. Put me in the "heck yeah!" column.
May 22 2009 at 11:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI would buy a Verizon iPhone as soon as it was available. I would probably even camp out like the "original" iPhone users did to get one of the first ones! :-)
April 30 2009 at 11:31 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyMy contract with Verizon (whom all of my family and many of my friends use) is up at the end of May, and this article helped me decide to stick with them and renew. I was planning on jumping so that I could get an iPhone, but I like how Verizon does things and I'd rather be with them when the time comes.
I guess I just gotta keep collecting the free apps I like in hopes that one day soon I'll be able to use them.
I am in love with the iPhone hardware. The fact it is on AT&T however has kept me from buying one. I have Sprint for my personal cell and Verizon for work. I'd pick up one in a New York Minute if it went to Verizon. I've always had the most reliable service from them.
Sean
W. Palm Beach, FL
Definitely would buy one if I could keep Verizon.
April 28 2009 at 1:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI, for one, can't stand Verizon. Their listed coverage in my area looks great on paper, but absolutely sucks in real workd usage. That, and they cripple every phone that roll out and stick you with charges to fill in the gaps. AT&T is bad enough, but Verizon is much worse in this regard. I hope Apple doesn't decide to shaft all of us who invested in iPhones with AT&T and keeps on producing new models and product updates for us, as well. If they don't, I will fiind an new phone, not a new carrier.
April 28 2009 at 1:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI have been with VZA for 8 years. I love technology and have switched to T-Mo and AT&T at one point (new number, no port) for something cool and was dissappointed. I travel a lot and T-Mo failed me there, AT&T had too much static and dropped calls for me. While these services work for some people, they did not work for me.
I am a Mac hater, but over time the iPhone perked my interest. While I will still never own a Mac computer, the iPhone is becoming a possibility. There is a good chance that I will drop my decision over an Omnia or BB Niagara and go iPhone.
I've been a VZW customer for quite some time and have been quite happy with their coverage.
I must say that I can't say the same about the way they lock down their phones.
I seriously contemplated switching to AT&T, and possilby the iPhone, when I re-upped in October, but VZW offered me a free Palm Centro in addition to some other good stuff. So I had to go with VZW again.
Since then, I've played with the iPhone a bit more and have been very pleased.
Should the iPhone come to VZW, I may very well make the switch.
The absolutely only thing keeping me from getting an iphone is the lack of verizon as a carrier. Almost everyone I talk to is with verizon so I use very few minutes. I wont pay to talk to my friends and they wont pay to talk to me which is why I dont switch to AT&T.
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