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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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Ryan S. said 2:56PM on 4-27-2009
I hate Verizon. Always have. They really need to just forget about all the stupid exclusive crap and just release one for each network that's willing to let it be on it. I know T-Mobile wants it. I saw a post on their official forums by a staff member that told people how to unlock their iPhones. Apple would be making TONS of cash, and the carrier wars wouldn't be over phones. Instead it would be over pricing and customer service. Overall, I wouldn't be happy if they switched to Verizon, and I would DEFINITELY not switch. They also have crappy coverage in SLC, UT from what I've heard.
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Bob said 5:36PM on 4-27-2009
I would go iPhone in a cell phone second if Verizon were an option.
brian.werner said 9:04AM on 4-28-2009
I would be very much appreciative of a Verizon iPhone (-like) device. Despite my desires, I do not have an iPhone right now, not just because I dislike AT&T and have heard customer service horror stories (I have been a vzw customer for 8 years and have nothing but praise for their consistent service) but more importantly, I can't have AT&T service in my area.
That's right, I live in one of those white places on AT&Ts coverage map; no service. Of course AT&T will work here, but AT&T will not allow a customer to establish service with a local address. No, this is not backwoods Alabama; I live in Telluride, CO, a small albeit wealthy mountain enclave with a population that would love to be rocking the iPhone.
Yes, I could use another address to fool AT&T into thinking that I live elsewhere and occasionally visit Telluride. This works for some people (although many have received kind but curt letters from AT&T informing them that, while they are a valued customer, they have 30 days to find a new carrier), but the bigger issue is that I cannot port my number to AT&T. Yep, I have tried. Yep, tried that too. No, that won't work. Believe me I have tried it all, talked to different reps, AT&T stores, Apple, etc...no happening. So if I want to keep my business phone number, i have to keep it active on a carrier other that AT&T or figure out some crafty way to forward calls to a new number (like Google Voice). But, really, I like my number.
And the last point, before I get my much needed second cup of coffee, is that I don't really want to be on AT&T. I have heard horror stories, seen too many friends with dropped calls, and I am happy with Verizon. Sure, they are charging me too much, sure their ads are dumb. But my phone always works up here in the mountians when it is supposed to, and every time I call customer service, they give me what I ask for, even when sometimes perhaps I maybe don't exactly deserve it.
I want a Verizon iPhone, or something close to that. And, stereotypical IT nerd at the VZW store in Austin, no, I don't want a Blackberry Storm, its not "far superior" to the iPhone.
Tristan said 2:56PM on 4-27-2009
It might sway me actually...... I definitely wouldn't switch from VZW for it.
I have a feeling this is going to turn into another back-and-forth which cell-carrier is better type of argument.
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Ben K. said 2:57PM on 4-27-2009
If it's true, I'll be changing contracts when mine is up in September and getting a Verizon iPhone.
If it's false... I'll bite the bullet and get a new iPhone late summer if they're out with newer models and sign a 2-yr contract with AT&T.
In either case... customers with a better, faster data/cell network win.
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Codey H. said 2:58PM on 4-27-2009
Oh, believe me, I WANT an iPhone, but switching to AT&T would drive the TCO up so far I couldn't afford it.. my entire extended family and social circle on Verizon thanks me for staying too.
VZW + Apple = a happy Codey
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Brian said 4:00PM on 4-27-2009
same here.. im going to estimate that 80% of my calls go to other verzion wireless customers (and are therefore, free with my plan).. switching to att would increase my minute usage by almost 800%..
Forsakenzoul said 2:58PM on 4-27-2009
If it goes over to Verizon you'll still have a contract. I hope they stay on AT&T and that AT&T stops fooling themselves and start fixing their network.
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clint Johnson said 3:02PM on 4-27-2009
Which service is better is actually moot. The fact is that Verizon is virtually everywhere. I had an iPhone on AT&T until I moved out of their coverage area. Now I have a Storm. It's nice, but definitely not an iPhone. If the iPhone comes to verizon the Storm is going on eBay and I'm paying full price for the iPhone.
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Bill said 3:06PM on 4-27-2009
I switch from Verizon/BB Storm to the iPhone/AT&T. I've been waiting for a web friendly samrt phone that's easy to use and hoped the Storm would be it but it wasn't. I do not like AT&T. I think they're voice quality and coverage are poor compared to VZW and would switch back to VZW in a heart beat if they picked up the iPhone, ETF or not. I did so when getting the iPhone and would do it again to go back.
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T.Mas said 3:08PM on 4-27-2009
I'd trade my CrapBerry Storm for an iPhone in a heartbeat. Hell, I'd trade my CrapBerry Storm for some crap.
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AndyB said 3:09PM on 4-27-2009
"If having Verizon as a choice would flip you from the 'no' to the 'heck yeah' column, pipe up."
Heck yeah.
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Tristan said 3:11PM on 4-27-2009
Good call on actually responding in the desired fashion!!
blaircarney said 11:27AM on 4-28-2009
heck yeah! Wife & I would both get one!
bjhanifin said 1:39AM on 5-02-2009
As a long time Verizon customer who is tempted to switch to ATT... heck yeah!
They have until next spring to announce this, or my wife and I will probably make the switch.
bjk8090 said 3:11PM on 4-27-2009
I would be moved to the heck yeah column. I
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William said 3:13PM on 4-27-2009
Immediately. I'd move the whole family to IPhones day 1 if Verizon had them. What I can't do is have an IPhone in DC that can't receive a call in half the office buildings in the city.
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MC said 4:42PM on 4-27-2009
What he (William) said. Plus, half my family and the people I keep in closest contact, are Verizon customers, so the in-network savings are an unavoidable consideration. I'll be starting my iPhone fund now!
ruindpzzle said 3:54PM on 4-27-2009
You can count me a Heck Yeah x12+ I'd get one for my wife, my mom and dad, plus I know my sisters and brother would, as well as their significant others.
My entire family, and in-laws are vzw folks, and they bug me all the time asking about when the iPhone is coming to vzw, and I constantly disappoint them with the sad truth that it would be a long shot, and if even possible wouldn't be until 2010. Well, looks like 2010 has an even brighter outlook than I expected.
I'd be happy to sign a 2 year contract with vzw if it does come, I've been out of contract with them since february 2008, my wife since October, and I was planning on moving over to AT&T this July with a new iPhone, but perhaps I might just hold off a little longer if this story develops into something a little more substantial. My pre-paid TMo iPhone will just have to do a little longer.
charliemtorres said 3:17PM on 4-27-2009
I have been with Verizon for YEARS and NEVER had a problem, plus their customer service is excellent - my only complaint is that their phones are expensive.
EVERYONE I talk to is a Verizon customer which allows me to have a low minute plan and talk all I want. So, I'm here to stay.
I have been praying to the tech gods since last June to have the iPhone come to Verizon. If that happens, I can stop yelling at my iPod Touch - "Why can't you be a phone!! Why?!?!?"
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