According to two (unnamed) people said to be familiar with the plans, the iPhone, currently exclusive to AT&T in the United States, will become available to Verizon subscribers starting in January of next year. This isn’t the first time that we’ve heard this rumor. It is, however, the first time that we’ve heard it from a news organization as big as Bloomberg.
The question for me was never one of “if” the iPhone would come to Verizon, but, more of “when” would the iPhone come to Verizon. The big questions that I have now are:
- How will Verizon’s network stand up? — I think that Verizon could break the 1.7 million iPhones sold mark in the first day, and, if there is one thing that we know about iPhones, their owners use ridiculous amounts of data.
- How will BlackBerry sales be adversely affected — I am absolutely fanatical about the BlackBerry, but, not blind to fact many current BlackBerry users are more loyal to Verizon than they are to RIM.
- Will a Verizon iPhone slow Android Momentum? — We all know that every carrier has Android devices. Verizon just sells the lions share of them. A lot of people that would otherwise have gotten and Android device will definitely give the iPhone the once over.
These are just a few thoughts running through my head when I think about the iPhone coming to Verizon but I’d love to hear what you think…
I don’t think Verizon will be getting the iphone next January. It’s a fact that ATT has an exclusive 5 year agreement with Apple and I can not see Apple paying millions of dollars to get out of their contact.
Nevertheless, if the iphone did miraculously appear to Verizon next year, I can certainly see the sales skyrocketing. People who use the android devices will definitely switch over. Blackberry users as dedicated as they are will try the iphone to see what the big commotion is about. People who do not use PDA or like touch screen too will get it. Right now I have a LG Dare and I am over the touch screen phase but I could see myself being highly tempted to buy an iphone.
Th only think I can really anticipate is Verizon may raise their data plan charges. Too many people will be using the apps and there are so many. I can see Verizon trying to bank on that.
Of course whatever Verizon charges will be worth it since they have the best network and one can practically use the phone for everything.
“People who use the android devices will definitely switch over.”
Some Android users will switch from their Droid to the new Verizon iPhone, but, you won’t see a mass exodus. The Incredible, Droid X, Droid 2, and whatever else Verizon puts out between now and the time Verizon offers an iPhone are better devices than the iPhone 4.
If verizonwireless gets the iphone will it get the iphone 4? Verizonwireless always seems to get the leftovers. Perhaps verizonwireless will start out with the iphone 3gs. Who knows?
I have read everyones statement thus far. The number one thing everyone know is that Verizons network cannot handle the iphone at this time.. it will be able to once it switches to LTE 4G (GSM).
The iphone is setup to use Voice and data on separate spectrum, that is why you can do multiple things while using it and talking on it. The type of CDMA Verizon uses isnt capable.
in europe the iphone works better on their 3G networks because they have perfected it and are using advanced 3G technology. 3G hasnt been advanced in the US yet, but every network wants to jump to 4G, Except T-mobile who started rolling out HSPA+ which at the moment is showing speeds comparable to the Sprint 4G.
I think it is a shame that the FCC doesn’t hold all the networks accountable for the bogus commercials on television about their true coverage and about the extra fees e.t.c.
So for now Verizon cannot get the iphone. At the end of 2011 when the LTE 4G is rolled out i think they definitely will and then maybe i will throw my BlackBerry away.