iPhone For Verizon Release Coming Next Year

Verizon (VZ) and Apple (AAPL) are in talks to possibly develop an iPhone for Verizon, a deal which could potentially go through as soon as the end of the year (USA Today). It would be the first time Apple has produced a version of the iPhone for a CDMA wireless network, which is different from AT&T’s GSM technology. Vodafone, co-owner of Verizon Wireless, already sells the iPhone in Europe. Verizon is said to have entered ”high-level” discussions with Apple management a few months ago, when CEO Steve Jobs was still overseeing day-to-day business, these sources say. The sources according to USA Today declined to be named because they aren’t authorized to speak publicly.
Currently, AT&T (T) has exclusive U.S. distribution rights to the iPhone into 2010. A deal with Verizon could be a devastating blow to AT&T, who is the no.2 biggest carrier in the US. Verizon’s network contains 80 million+ subscribers combined with superior connectivity. People who have been disappointed in AT&T’s network but love the iPhone would probably jump to Verizon. I still used the 1st gen iPhone and have no complaints of reliability with AT&T, however I can’t hold on my fingers the amount of friends upset with their 3G experience thus far. A more reliable network for the iPhone would see many switch over.

dorianwhitney

I really think making an iPhone for Verizon Wireles would be a lot better and i hope they do.

bones0612

of course not this would be a big step for verizon so there not williing to blow their big chance to work with another leading company thus making verizon even MORE popular my guess is over 70% of iphone users will switch to the verizon version of the iphone as soon as it comes out or when their shitty contract with At&t ends if you agree like this comment plus it's kinda not up for debate cause who created the iphone? Apple did and why do you think theyre so enthusiastic about making the iphone for verizon MORE MONEY! since more people use verizon it would be a smart choice to make an iphone for verizon indeed

John

The question is, will Verizon try to restrict the iPhone like it does with its other phones?