Between the Lines

Larry Dignan, Andrew Nusca and Rachel King

Bloomberg: Verizon to offer iPhone in January [poll]

By | June 29, 2010, 12:51pm PDT

Summary: Bloomberg reports that Verizon Wireless will begin offering the iPhone in January.

Apple’s iPhone, tied to AT&T as its exclusive carrier in the U.S. since it first hit the scene, will become available for the Verizon network, starting in January, according to a Bloomberg report that cites at least two sources who are familiar with the plans. (Techmeme)

The news - which is hardly the first time the rumor mill has launched Verizon-iPhone buzz - follows the release and record sales of the iPhone 4 through AT&T this month. As part of the release, AT&T allowed customers whose contracts were slated to expire this year to renew early - and lock themselves in as AT&T customers for two more years - to get the subsidized price from AT&T.

The exclusivity contract with AT&T has long been considered something that’s kept Apple’s device from growing at an even faster pace. AT&T’s service problems, especially in New York and San Francisco, has turned the company into the butt of late night jokes and generally been Apple’s weakest link. Verizon has said in the past that its network - considered to be superior to AT&T’s in most regions - is equipped to handle iPhone traffic.

More importantly, though, the three-year period that Apple and AT&T have stayed exclusive partners allowed competitors - notably Google with its Android devices - the time to develop alternative platforms and gain traction among consumers looking for a high-end smartphone like the iPhone, but on a different network.

Neither Apple nor Verizon confirmed the deal with Bloomberg.

Poll

What do you think about the iPhone coming to Verizon?

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Sam has been a technology and business blogger for more than 18 years.

Disclosure

Sam Diaz

Sam Diaz has nothing to disclose.

Biography

Sam Diaz

Sam has been a technology and business blogger, reporter and editor at ZDNet, the Washington Post, San Jose Mercury News and Fresno Bee for more than 18 years. He's a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and a graduate of California State University, Fresno.

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RE: Bloomberg: Verizon to offer iPhone in January
tomlin21-24319035676893835085146735905770 11th Oct
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RE: Bloomberg: Verizon to offer iPhone in January
dimithrak@... Updated - 29th Jun 2010
i have never had issues with AT&T.. so im gonna stick with them. I think GSM rules over CDMA anyday!..

Verizons plans will obviously be more expensive.
I cannot wait to see how these guys handle iPhone data volumes... - prolly will get them to keep their mouth Shuts

AT&T has to promote other phones soon, and properly, or else they are gonna run out of business very soon.. to that stupid CDMA companY!

getting onto topic.. until Apple announces this.. I doubt this rumor will ever come into existance..
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By Jan iPhone 4G will be so OLD
Uralbas 29th Jun 2010
that it isn't worth it. But then again there are many people who will stand in line for it.

I will never get another Apple product again. The 3GS was the last i've ever will spend on Apple. Their products are overpriced for what they deliver. But then again, many people will pay for flashy useless stuff.
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Not true...
Sarbustal 30th Jun 2010
@Uralbas All of their products come with an apple logo on them which instantly makes their products exponentially more valuable. Assuming your 3GS had this logo like everyone else's you definitely got your money's worth.
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Took my Apple distortion glasses off.

My old G1 is more useful than a 3GS.
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RE: Bloomberg: Verizon to offer iPhone in January
Loverock Davidson 29th Jun 2010
Just like I said when the first iPhone came out, I'll pass on this. Given the recent troubles with it, I'm not sure how well its going to do on Verizon.
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@Loverock Davidson: Given that the mere mention of "Apple" makes your stomach ulcers boil, I'm not really surprised to see you write that. wink
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RE: Bloomberg: Verizon to offer iPhone in January
Loverock Davidson 29th Jun 2010
@Random_Walk
It does? When did this happen?
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@Loverock:

Judging by your posting history, it's been happening for quite awhile now.
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RE: Bloomberg: Verizon to offer iPhone in January
Loverock Davidson 29th Jun 2010
@Random_Walk
Oh really? Do tell. I'm quite curious about this since you seem to know me so well.
0 Votes
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Rumors, Lies, and statistics...
Random_Walk 29th Jun 2010
Seriously? I'll believe it when it happens. I wouldn't be surprised if Verizon itself keeps fueling these rumors just to try and keep some of their customer base from jumping ship.
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@Random_Walk I doubt that. It would only hurt adoption of the Androids if they did, and that would not be good if they don't pick up the iPhone.
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Once they get the smartphone and start getting the never ending Verizon fees added to the bill, that "free" Droid phone is no longer that much of a deal.

Not to defend AT&T on pricing, but at least they to tag additional fees that change every month.

Also, the Android OS is turning out to be a huge spyware OS. With the OS taking screeshots of every web page you visit, and Google installing / deleting apps when they feel like it. I wonder what else are they recording and sending to their servers. Also how soon would the real bad guys will start using the "Google backdoor" for their advantage.
data at the same time. Seriously, people. How hard is it to comprehend this? Well, OK, maybe a bit hard since the "we hate AT&T and love Verizon" crowd at ZDNet continually goes out of their way to ignore this little elephant dancing around the room.
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GMS vs CDMA
wackoae 29th Jun 2010
Why would Apple spend any money in R&D and licensing for a technology that is just about to die a miserable death??

I see no reason why Apple should spend money to get into Verizon, when the world is running in GMS.
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@wackoae Did you mean GSM?
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That would be great...
SonofaSailor 29th Jun 2010
Maybe then ATT will get start getting some Droid phones.

so long Apple, good riddance.
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No need, I already have a Kin.

Seriously though, call me when I don't have to plug my phone into a computer that has that malware iTunes installed on it.
@Droid101 Remember that with the Kin, you can travel across town to find and visit the remote house of that creepy guy you meet online (who turns out to be 20 years older than you).
0 Votes
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Missing a voting radio button
bobiroc 29th Jun 2010
I am already happy with AT&T and my iPhone or other phone on AT&T.

But like others have said I will believe it when it happens and I would like to see AT&T get some good Droid Phones as I like phones based off that OS as well. If I had to choose another cell carrier it would be Verizon but AT&T works well for me and combined with their other services like internet and TV it is a good package value.
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i can't wait to see Verizons servers go down and their internet to slow down EVEN more!!! ... i was with verizon and nooo way their 3G sucks, AT&T Edge is way faster than Verizons 3G network! anywho yes apple does have the exclusice contract up to 2012, plus the 4 year addition to that =]
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Agree
wackoae 29th Jun 2010
@sammyfree4u Blackberry users (Verizon's real "smartphone" users) are nothing more than email junkies. They use very little bandwidth and are pretty much in idle most of the day.

On the other hand, iPhone users are HEAVY 3G users. The bandwidth usage by the average iPhone owner is at least 1000 times (being nice on the number) compare to the average Verizon email junkies.

Just wait until 10,000 iPhone users are crammed into a single building (ie: conferences) and you will see everybody cursing Verizon for not being able to handle the load. Verizon has the slowest 3G in the US right now .... with the iPhone connecting to their networks, it will probably slow to a crawl.

BTW: Not being able to make a call and check web enable services is a worst "feature" than not being able to multi-tasks two apps.
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Is this a for sure thing, or just a prediction?
Sticking with my Blackberry, thanks. I wouldn't be surprised if the Verizon iPhone is LTE and not EVDO. AT&T is using that technology too, so that way Apple only has to make one phone for both networks. All the data hogs need to move to 4G to make the network better for the efficient users.
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iphone should be for verizon, better network, better coverage always reliable, i can be in the woods and get signal, and i drive a truck for a living, i love apple products, but a awesome phone on a garbage network, their is no way i would leave verizon for any other company, but for the iphone to come to verizon i would for sure end my contract and get an iphone, Verizon is the best and thats all to it
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RE: Bloomberg: Verizon to offer iPhone in January
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