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Is Apple expanding the iPhone onto Verizon’s network?

By Gerard Lagana Tue, Mar 30, 2010 @ 2:00 PM

iPhone on Verizon Photo 300x252 Is Apple expanding the iPhone onto Verizons network?When Apple was courting carriers for the iPhone in the early stages of its development, Verizon was the first carrier they dealt with.  Unfortunately, Verizon did not want to meet Apple’s guidelines for selling the iPhone through them.  For example, Apple wanted sole control over how the phone would be serviced, or if needed, be swapped out.  Verizon wasn’t having any of this, because they, like Apple, control how the phones they sell are serviced.

Enter AT&T.  Apple’s next carrier they spoke with was AT&T.  AT&T was more than happy to accommodate Apple.  This proved to be most fruitful for AT&T as a cell phone carrier.  Verizon must have been kicking themselves after they saw how well the iPhone was selling through AT&T.  Since then, rumors of the iPhone being on Verizon’s network were rampant.  With every new model of the iPhone, there was a rumor attached to it that this year it would be on Verizon’s network.  Well, it appears that the wait is over.

Yukari Iwatani Kane, Ting-I Tasi, and Niraj Sheth of WSJ.com , are reporting that the iPhone is coming to Verizon’s network.  AT&T however is stating that this is speculation as stated below:

“An AT&T spokesman said: “There has been lots of incorrect speculation on CDMA iPhones for a long time. We haven’t seen one yet and only Apple knows when that might occur.” Apple declined to comment.”

In light of this news WSJ.com goes on to comment how Apple is planning on releasing a new iPhone this summer, in keeping up with their upgrade cycle.  They kind of state the usual, that the iPhone will be thinner and have a faster processor.

As for the Verizon iPhone’s production and release, WSJ.com quotes a person familiar with the situation:

“…Pegatron is scheduled to start mass producing CDMA iPhones in September. Other people said, however, that the schedule could change and the phone may not be available to consumers immediately after production begins.”

I seriously doubt that Apple would break their cycle for iPhone releases, by releasing them at the end of the year.  This to me sounds like speculation.  If anything they would release the Verizon iPhone along side the AT&T iPhone.  This would give consumers a choice to pick their carrier, plus most consumer’s contracts would be up.

I think it would be an excellent idea if Apple had more than one carrier for the iPhone in the United States.  It would be extremely helpful in load balancing AT&T’s already over-saturated cell network.  Exclusivity doesn’t always have it’s perks.  Would you get a Verizon iPhone?  Leave a comment in the comments section below, and let us know if you’ve been waiting for the iPhone on the Verizon network.

Photo Credit: iPhone 4

Article Via WSJ.com

  • darkfusion

    The iPhone market will grow like crazy if Apple includes Verizon. I for one will be tempted to trade in my droid for one.

    • Gerard Lagana

      That’s absolutely true. I’m wondering if Apple is taking this into account, if and when they re-up their exclusivity contract with AT&T.

  • http://greenesaga.blogspot.com SteveG

    My family and I have been Verizon customers for 6-8 years now. Early last fall, after carrying a regular cell phone and Palm PDA at the same time, I “caved” and upgraded to a Blackberry Tour. As much as I enjoy it, I would certainly look into upgrading to the iPhone if it came to Verizon. Not as much for the music factor, but for the various apps that I could use dealing with several of my businesses and traveling requirements.

    • Gerard Lagana

      Trust me, you’ll be very happy with the apps on the iPhone. I don’t know how I got along before without these apps.

    • Tiffani

      Although I am not as familiar with the iPhone, I probably won’t go for it. The Droid Incredible is a great phone with HTC new sense UI. I am seriously considering full retail to upgrade even though I love my Droid by Motorola. That being said, the apps on the android market are growing at a great rate and won’t take long to at the vary least be comparable to the amount of apps for the iPhone. It would be great for Verizon to get the iPhone, but I love the customization on the android os. That’s just something that the iPhone needs before I jump boat.

  • MarkA

    This is awesome! I’ve been with Verizon for about 4 or 5 years now and was going to leave them and go to AT&T just for the iPhone. Since it will be available through Verizon though I will most likely stick with them and upgrade to an iPhone. Lucky they had me on contract or I would have left already.

    • Gerard Lagana

      Personally, I think the iPhone for Verizon will be a 4G LTE, and not a CDMA iPhone. With that said, I will be happy to see the iPhone on more than one US carrier’s network.

  • SAT

    I’ve been thinking about getting a Droid phone but might wait for an iPhone…thoughts on which one is better if Verizon has the option?

    • Gerard Lagana

      I’ve spoken with a co-worker who is not at all happy with his Droid. He said that he wished he got the iPhone, but him and his wife are under contract with Verizon. He said to unlock his phone he has to go through three steps, as opposed to the iPhone where there is only one step involved. I’ve also read that a lot of people are not happy with the slide out keyboard, They said that they mainly use the on-screen keyboard. If you can wait, I would recommend the iPhone. However, well have to wait and see if this comes to fruition.

  • Howard

    I have a 6800 that is a disaster. I have been waiting for the Verizon IPhone ever since it was made available to the public. I will be the first one in line at a Verizon store when it goes on sale and I do not do these kind of things.

  • Dale

    I waited and waited for Verizon to get the iPhone. Two months ago I changed to AT&T for the iPhone but will be glad to return to Verizon one my contract ends if Verizon has the iPhone otherwise I will be glad where I’m at

  • http://www.milegaltech.com Kris Krol

    I totally have been waiting for iPhone on Verizon. We’ve had Verizon since 1996 or 1997, maybe even before that. Now we have three phones, hubby, self and one for kids to use. I just renewed my plan on January 25, after my Treo 755p DIED and traded that in for the Palm Pre Plus, as the next best thing. I’ve been wanting an iPhone for over a year. Being the gadget freak that I am, I was just talking to my husband this morning about the possibility of going early termination with Verizon and jumping over to AT&T, just so I can get what I WANT. My only real concern is that if Verizon gets its hands on the iPhone, are they going to lock out certain features and functions, like they did with the Treos?

  • http://aol.com JULIA

    i hope apple will give verizon a chance.i’ve been a verizon user for about 5 years and i’ve always wanted a iphone but i was also thinking of an ipod touch witch is the same thing but no calling …..just i am so excited if it comes to verizon.i know ill be there for un valing!!!!!

    • http://www.macgasm.net Joshua Schnell

      I think it’s only a matter of time until the phone makes its way to Verizon. Hopefully we’ll get some answers at WWDC. :)

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