Will Verizon get the iPhone?

I had multiple iPhones and HATED AT&T with each successive one. Switched to a Droid, and been happy ever since.

Be careful of the iPhone, because you need to get in bed with AT&T. And that ain't pretty.

 

Not a chance in the world they will get it until the LTE network is in place, basically 4G but both AT&T and verizon will support it so apple doesn't have to create 2 phones. Also AT&T being exclusive on the ipad doesn't make the verizon switch all that possible for awhile.

As for the verizon lady's comments they have no clue, even if something was planned I highly doubt the retail employees would know anything.

AT&T does suck, but I will say they are getting better, maybe try again in a year or 2.

 

I've heard rumors that Apple's contract with AT&T was coming to an end shortly (like within 6 months or so), and that they would offer the I-Phone with other networks as soon as that happens. I don't recall where I heard this, or how solid this info is, I just hope it's true!

 

That's been widely speculated for quite some time now. However, there has also been some more recent speculation that Apple renewed AT&T's exclusivity deal. As with most things Apple, rumors fly often and change quickly.

Apple usually rolls out new iPhone models in June, so my guess would be then as the first possible chance of seeing a Verizon iPhone. Otherwise, it will likely be another year or two when Verizon and AT&T roll out their new networks.

 

Having to get in bed with Apple isn't pretty either.

 

Most likely is because O2 lost their exclusive contract with the iphone here in the UK, now there are loads of networks that do it.


P.S. An alternative would be to buy an unlocked iphone from eBay or something.

 

In the US, the two largest competitors to AT&T run on the CDMA network, which is not compatible with the iPhone at all.

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Verizon-iPhone-Is-Not-on-the-tsmf-972098643.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=2&asset=&ccode=

Verizon iPhone Is Not on the Near Horizon
thestreet

ByScott Moritz, Staff Reporter , On Tuesday March 30, 2010, 11:38 am EDT

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The prospect of a Verizon iPhone has sparked more speculation, more analysis and a big new high for Apple's stock.

Apple is once again reported to be preparing production of a CDMA iPhone that would be compatible with the networks of Verizon and Sprint, according to a report Monday by The Wall Street Journal.

The report revives rumors of a Verizon iPhone, and by Tuesday analysts weighed in with their own take on the potential development.

Few analysts, however, see the iPhone landing at Verizon this year.

"A launch of a CDMA-based phone with Verizon this year is unlikely," UBS analyst Maynard Um wrote in a research note Tuesday, adding that he believes "a CDMA phone could be launched with other operators later in the year." Those other telcos include China Telecom and Japan's KDDI.

The rumors stir up a long-running debate over when and if Apple and Verizon will ever come to terms over the iPhone.

Apple, maker of the hottest smartphone, and Verizon, the operator of the largest U.S. network, seem to be destined for an agreement once Apple's exclusive with AT&T expires, but progress has been uncertain.

"Apple can't ignore the largest customer in its largest market," says Michael Cote, of the Cote Collaborative. "They have 90 million customers that Apple doesn't have access to. The only way for Apple to grow in the U.S. is to access those subscribers," says Cote.

But Cote says if there is a Verizon iPhone, the timing is not likely known even by Apple and Verizon yet.

For Verizon, the iPhone represents a swarm of new, big spending subscribers, but it also means Verizon is largely cut out of the revenue equation as its users become Apple customers, who will spend money at iTunes and the App Store. This conflicts with Verizon's mobile-commerce ambitions.

There are also network infrastructure issues that need to be addressed. The iPhone puts heavy demands on the wireless system, as unhappy AT&T iPhone customers have long known. Verizon would like to avoid that, and Apple could help if it developed its own supplemental network.

Similar to what Research In Motion has done with its BlackBerry servers and email delivery system, Apple could provide a data center to reduce the burden on Verizon's network resources, says Cote. This could allow a so-called push system that sends iPhone subscribers updates and emails as they come in instead of requiring the phone to continually check in with the network for new info.

Beyond network management, Verizon and Apple have not seen eye-to-eye in the past and the differences are still unresolved.

RBC analyst Mike Abramsky says there's a lot of work yet to be done before Verizon and Apple come together. "The two parties may still need to resolve contentious issues such as subsidies, branding, revenue share, data plans, etc.," Abramsky writes. "And Verizon just launched its own App store last week, which it may require some or all smartphones to offer," Abramsky added.

Apple shares hit an all-time high of $237.48 early Tuesday, but has since settled down slightly to $236.19 or up 2% by mid morning.

--Written by Scott Moritz in New York.