At the risk of repeating myself for the millionth time, in many peoples’ minds, the Achilles’ heel of the iPhone is the network it’s on in the US: AT&T. Since the day it was announced as being exclusive to that provider, people have been wondering one thing: How long until it’s on Verizon? Rumors have surfaced time and again about the possibility, but today brings perhaps the most concrete news yet that the two sides are talking.
The two sides are discussing the possibility of getting Verizon version of the iPhone ready for 2010, sources tell USA Today. There are likely two reasons it would take until next year. The first, is that Apple’s exclusive contract with AT&T runs through next year. The second is that a Verizon version would presumably have to be CDMA-ready, which means the innards of the iPhone would have to be slightly tweaked, as the current iPhone is GSM-only (which AT&T, and most other cell networks run on).
Perhaps now we know why it’s been reported recently that AT&T was pushing hard to get Apple to extend its exclusive deal another year, into 2011. Verizon is AT&T’s main rival in the US, and is actually larger. But Verizon lacks the one device that people are switching networks just to get. In announcing its most recent earnings, AT&T said that as many as 40% of all customers who sign up for iPhone contracts are new to AT&T — that is huge.
But here’s something to think about: A new iPhone is almost for sure going to launch sometime this summer. It will be AT&T only — and, you will presumably have to sign up for a new 2-year contract to get it (and certainly you will have to do that to get it for the subsidized price). If people know a Verizon iPhone is possible in 2010, will a lot of potential buyers hold off? I think so.
Hell, given the recent issues I’ve had with AT&T’s network, I’d consider not getting the new iPhone if Verizon was really a possibility for next year. But it’s still a big “if” at this point. Who knows, Apple would just be talking with Verizon (the company that originally spurned the iPhone) just to increase the pressure on AT&T to give them a sweeter deal. You know, negotiations 101.
But if Apple truly does envision the iPhone as a product that it wants to dominate the market with, it will need to get onto other networks eventually. It seems inevitable, but is 2010 the year?
That would be huge news as far as I’m concerned.
I made a commitment NOT to ever use a GSM-based phone.
Time to stock on Qualcomm stock and maybe dump my iPod Touch??
Mike
I could dump my BlackBerry Storm!
http://thetimki...torm-my-review/
What’s wrong with the GSM network? I’m out of my Verizon contract next month and want to switch. Is there a reason I shouldn’t?
What’s wrong w/ the GSM network ? Outside of walkie-talkie’s AT&T’s network has the worst call drop / reception in the world ! Wait for Verizon to get the iPhone then jump on it.
If you think AT&T is bad, you should try T-Mobile. But I wouldn’t say it’s because of the network technology. I had service for years with the (former) sole Vermont provider, Unicel, and never had an unexplained dropped call… and that was all on a GSM network. Plus, if you plan to have decent service coverage internationally (or throughout the US, even), GSM is the only way to go.
Nothing is wrong with GSM, in fact it is technically a better service than CDMA (which is being replaced soon with LTE, btw).
Think of it like this:
1 CDMA tower = An inch thick, but a mile wide.
1 GSM tower = A mile thick, but an inch wide.
That said, it costs CDMA provides less to cover a wider range quickly, and requires less towers, but 2 things suffer: quality of signal & scalability.
The issue that people have with GSM service when they say it is “spotty” is because it requires more towers (high density) to cover the same range – however it is more likely to work in basements, parking garages, the middle of an office building, and areas with higher electrostatic interference (that’s the “mile thick” part).
Also GSM is scalable, that means that each time newer/faster technology is available, retrofitting existing towers is much cheaper/easier & more profitable.
What does this mean you?
1) It means that GSM service will continue to become less “spotty” (most peoples main beef).
2) It also means that when CDMA providers (Verizon/Sprint) have to replace it with LTE they will be starting over from scratch (read: replacing vs. upgrading) and this means that the quality in your area post-upgrade is completely unknown.
3) While this is mostly concerning customers in the US, keep in mind that vast majority of the rest of the world uses GSM. And that the rest of the world is unquestionably ahead of the US when it comes to phone tech. – The only way to catch up is to use a tech that is scalable.
In Conclusion:
In my opinion, CDMA was a greedy technology decision that wanted to offer [low-quality] service to those outside of urban areas, and will continue pass on those replacement costs to their clients.
Companies that choose GSM tech are making an investment in the future quality of their network infrastructure, something I’ll gladly put up with for a) long-term reliability & b) international compatibility.
-JR
CEO, incognito, of a high-tech (non-telecom) US-based international business.
Please let this happen soon. Why exactly did Verizon fore go the iPhone right away?
Hard to know for sure – reports in the past have ranged from Apple wanting too much money, to Verizon unwilling to give up control on things like apps.
that’s because CDMA sucks and is analogue.
Nope. Not right. Both are digital. CDMA is faster and uses less power than GSM/HSDPA. GSM has a stronghold in other countries though.
CDMA sucks because you need to pay royalty to Quallcomm assholes.
If Verizon doesn’t acquiesce on the apps issue, these rumors at least strengthen Apple’s hand with extension negotiations with AT&T.
Unfortunately, I see this as a negotiations ploy. It would be tremendous to get wider distribution for the iphone. With all of its success, it is still a fringe device, and this limits the market changing potential of the appstore, etc.
Because Verizon thought they were still in control. They do not realize the fundamental shift that occurred in the market with the introduction of the iPhone.
Of course, the change is obvious now, and very visible, and as a result, even Verizon executives can see it. But they will have much less bargaining power as a result of waiting for the obvious. Lesson learned, they should have gone with the first deal Jobs gave them
The situation is much like the music execs prior. Thinking they ruled the roost with an iron hand.
Right on.
Actually, a good friend of mine worked at Verizon and he told me that they “Passed” on the iPhone for 2 reasons. 1. They were in the process of making what they considered a better version of the iPhone and 2. They thought the iPhone, being an Apple product, would never catch on. Verizon is a big windowz supporter and little to NO Mac support.
Actually, a good friend of mine worked at Verizon and he told me that they “Passed” on the iPhone for 2 reasons. 1. They were in the process of making what they considered a better version of the iPhone and 2. They thought the iPhone, being an Apple product, would never catch on. Verizon is a big windowz supporter and little to NO Mac support.
See how poorly Verizon has handled the firmware upgrades for the BlackBerry Storm makes me wonder if they’re any better than AT&T
Verizon, please make my BlackBerry work useable!
This is RIMs problem as the firmware provider, NOT Verizon. Please know what you’re talking about before you act like all the other silly TechCrunch commenters looking for attention.
and thats harsh.
@Bra-zil dude,
like you.
@Brazell
Does it really matter? Obviously, when RIM screws up on a Verizon phone, it does look like Verizon’s problem.
this will most certainly be big for Application developers. As the exclusivity with AT&T was essentially having Apple miss most of the mobile users.
Besides the fact that Apple no longer needs AT&T. It has proven what it had to prove…
Know Apple there is now way they will continue with the exclusive arrangement
True. Even if AT&T offer Apple half the company plus its headquarter.
I can easily imagine Steve Jobs scoff: “We wouldn’t wanna put our name on it.”
Weird. Here’s Tim Cook on the earnings call this week:
“Well from a technology point of view as you know, Verizon is on CDMA and we’ve shown from the beginning of the iPhone to focus on one phone for the whole of the world and when you do that, you really go down the GSM root, because CDMA is – doesn’t really have a life to it after a point in time.”
http://seekinga...nscript?page=-1
Exactly! CMDA will eventually die with the rollout of LTE. Why would Apple waste time and resources on a technology that will be fading away?
http://www.enga...in-4g-networks/
Verizon will start to rollout their LTE network in 2010 which would line up to the rumors above.
I agree CDMA is a shrinking technology but we all know it isn’t going anywhere any time soon, probably 5-7 years before phasing out. If Apple were to work with Verizon on a LTE capable iPhone, it would have to be backward compatible to Verizon’s CDMA/EVDO network.
Also, in the U.S. consumers are loyal to Verizon’s network, even with their less desirable phone selection. In AT&T’s case, it’s the iPhone, not the network though they though they have an advantage with GSM being dominate worldwide. Verizon’s 80M customers can’t be that easy to overlook.
If this is true, it doesn’t bode well for AT&T, but is a win-win for Apple.
GSM is not superior to CDMA by any means. http://www.hard...com/article/151
there was talk about a “lite” version of the iPhone. Could this perhaps be the one that works on CDMA?
Bound to happen.
that would be huge. Im been fairly happy with ATTs network, but I havent travelled much
I couldn’t care less if Verizon gets it. Verizon handles everything poorly…if a new iPhone is released this summer, I’ll only hate Verizon more for not being able to break my contract a few months short.
Verizon won’t get the iPhone until both it and AT&T are using 4G in a significant capacity. That’s not until 2011 at the earliest, when AT&T launches its service.
Until then, the most you can hope for is a T-Mobile USA version, but even then only if Apple can get it on both AT&T and T-Mobile 3G bands (which aren’t the same).
Michael, You may not have to buy a GSM based iPhone, but I doubt you will ever buy a CDMA iPhone… Verizon is supposed to be setting up their 4G network starting next year, which will be totally different from GSM and CDMA, I think it is referred to as LACIE, or LTE (Can’t find the site I read it on.) Anyways Verizon is supposed to start using this network in 2010, and AT&T will probably upgrade to that same tech network in 2011 or 2012, which means that Apple may have to support 2 different networks to sell through both providers but only for 1 – 2 years. http://www.boyg...niousreport.com is a great place to read about upcoming tech, but they have quite a bit of cellular information too.
Hondo, Probable reason they skipped on the iPhone to begin with probably had something to do with the contract.
John, Verizon is not responsible for the Storm’s firmware… RIM is http://www.blackberry.com
Good stuff Sam – yeah lot of talk of Apple waiting until post-CDMA for Verizon, we’ve had this discussion on other posts in the comments area. Still, CDMA is specifically noted by USA Today, though they could just be assuming that.
Considering the form factor and cavity void of the iPhone 3g it seems that a GSM+CDMA would be a good bet. See also the engineering and form factor of the Blackberry 8830 on Verizon that also supports GSM. This is very possible and would generalize ODM fulfillment. The only requirement then would be to lock radios per provider… Or not
Interesting Jay, thanks.
Didn’t Tim Cook said on wednesday earning call, “CDMA doesnt really have a life to it after a certain point in time”? LTE version of the iPhone is a little more likely. Even Verizon’s CEO told Wall Street Journal. Bottom line it’s not happen any time soon.
Yes, but Apple has been known to say one thing and do something else in the past. Plus, the refresh cycle for iPhones is now clearly once a year – so having one CDMA version before LTE is ready could certainly be plausible — especially with what Jay said above.
America is one heck of a confused Country.
Especially because
1) they do not know what they want, GSM or CDMA!
2) they do not know what they want, when it comes to systems and measurement
when whole world has adopted Metric System (http://en.wikip...doption_map.svg) they still are on the old system.
they cannot standardize on any thing… really confused set of people….
mostly encouraging war, keeping their own people in state of false freedom…
HA… talk about freedom…. where is the freedom when it comes to choosing the mobile operator… every one is tied to a CONTRACT… SLAVEs….
Every one “Owns” home but they are forever in mortgage…. again SLAVEs….
America is one hell of a country
Indian
Jeez…shut up, Manish.
I betcha Manish works for a US company….
Manish, you retard, why do you have to make it public that you are an Indian?
Oh, and did you know that Reliance Communications uses CDMA in India? Way to make an argument.
arthur, what if i m an American posing as n Indian ?
I have no idea why garbage-breath Indians are so proud of their country. I’ve been there and it is a filthy waste dump.
Why do you have to bring up something like that on such a fine thread!? Get a life, go back to India and bathe in the filthy Ganges river!
There is a trend to support dual-mode CDMA/GSM smart phones. Jay mentioned the Blackberry 8830, there’s the Nokia 6630 and ShenZhen’s ePhone for international markets. The carrier can segment the radio silicon on board. For Verizon, we might have an EvDO iPhone as an early device prior to LTE. I”m waiting for the iPhone 3.0 this summer and will probably throw that away in 2011 anyway. We need utility belts – for our blackberry, iPhone and G1. Don’t see much noise on Palm Pre yet, why not. What about a Verizon Netbook with Android?
Paul,
Thanks for rounding out that list. The CTIA Wireless 2009 show was more a tale of possibility in any direction vs. a sudden abandonment of CDMA or GSM in the face of a -when- for LTE.
-Jay
I left Verizon almost 5 years ago… I learned to hate that company. This has nothing to do with the iPhone… I just wanted to say I hate Verizon again.
My experience with ATT has been much pretty good and I travel extensively.
Verizon has the worst customer service on the planet.
The complaints against the iPhone on AT&T are pure story telling. There is no evidence that the att network can be blamed for the poor iPhone performance. The iPhone will perform poorly on any network.
I just tapped this comment out on an iPhone, the iPhone is just a piece of shit.
Not true, Stan.
I’ve had 3 phones with AT&T (2 Motorolas and an LG), in 3 East Coast metropolitan and rural areas, and they all had crappy service compared to my 2 Verizon phones.
My friend’s iPhone on AT&T performs no better and no worse than my AT&T-based phones did in the same area.
It’s AT&T’s network that’s the problem:
http://agencysp...-and-more-bars/
Verizon had their chance and they passed on the iphone. Most likely because Verizon wanted control. Now they are talking up the iphone as vaporware to keep subs from leaving. I doubt Apple will deal with Verizon until Verizon gives apple all the control. You have to remember that Apple and Jobs think that the cell providers are just dump pipes to the internet. Not real value add providers. Apple is right on that and Verizon does not get it.
Look at the Storm with no wifi. Why – Rimm has wifi in the bold so they can do wifi. It was because verizon wanted no wifi. Until they realize that they are a conduit no apple.
Lastly – Apple market cap 110 billiion Verizon 88 billion.
I agree w/ you on that one – if cell nw providers spent more time improving their networks and less time trying to tack on value-add services then we’d all be better off.
re. Verizon: I came to the iPhone from Treo 650/Verizon. Though the network IS good, they charged an arm & leg for data. That simply won’t fly anymore.
And the “no wifi” thing drove me nuts. If the iPhone were to come to Verizon, the only way it’s work is if V. let A. drive the bus, start to finish.
AT&T blows, too much dead space, unreliable network. I <3 my Verizon phone, even if it is WinMo. iPhone on Verizon would be total win for me.
I would also add that LTE vs. WiMAX vs wifi vs 3g/4g on GSM or CDMA need not be some kind of winner takes all. This is about a business case and ecosystem that could go worldwide outside of purely NAM. I favor multiple radios for multiple applications in the most compelling form factor for a fractured spectrum setting.
You may like Verizon’s coverage better, etc., but how could Verizon ever offer an iPhone with the same features as other carriers offer. Verizon would have to block USB, Bluetooth, GPS, WLAN, or anything they cannot charge for. Unless Verizon is planning on changing their policies how could they offer anything but a crippled iphone.
I am getting tired of the the excuse that they had to remove feature “ABC” to fit CDMA into the unit. But you can pay for this Verizon feature that offers similar functionality.
Maybe Apple will be the wake up call for Verzion. Maybe the will learn that the consumer market expects out of the box functionality without extra monthly charges. Businesses on the other hand may like Verizon, as they make it easier to provide staff with feature reduced handsets.
If Apple allows Verizon to sell a molested version of the iphone, it will go down in my book as the stupidest thing Apple has ever done.
I am all for Verizon getting a fully functional iPhone, but it will not happen.
Thanks…
Well said. Maybe Sprint’s new CEO (Dan Hesse) and philosophy will also drive change away from the dictatorships the communication monopolies have enjoyed for far too long. I wish Sprint had the 3G coverage of Verizon and the selection of phones the international consumers have had access to for so long
USA has the crappiest networks.
I switched from Verizon to AT&T last week. I did it because of the iPhone. I also switched, as David said, because of Verizon’s archaic pricing and policies toward technology. Shutting down services? Maybe ok for an old telco, but the world has moved beyond that.
I would switch back to Verizon for an IPhone – but I will not switch to AT&T – their service in my area is horrible.
I understand the argument regarding the voice usage all, but for those of you who are ready to switch so easily from AT&T to Verizon: Do you think Verizon is ready to handle the DATA bandwidth required for the iPhone?
I think that was one of the main reasons (among others) that Verizon didn’t partner with Apple. It wasn’t ready to pony up the money to upgrade its data network whereas AT&T did.
In my experience (mostly southest US), verizon has way more 3G data coverage than AT&T.
Coverage does not equal throughput. What happens when all of that data hits their backbone?
Sites load fast…always get my push email immediately…messengers stay logged in…I don’t know what you’re asking. This is with an Alltel branded Pearl.
I would so switch away from AT&T in 2 seconds. Even if I had to buy a new phone. Really, really hope this deal goes through. Too long have I dealt with the bullshit horrible cell phone coverage and crapping internet that is AT&T 3g.
I currently have a verizon 3g for my laptop and it never fails me.
Not until that CEO who whishes for SJ to be dead first is kicked out of the company. Verizon had a chance bit arrogantly and rudely declined.
Does anyone else thing it’s more than a coincidence that this news hits the day before Verizon reports its earnings? I’m sure this chatter has been going on for a while, but it’s clear to me that this is the telecom deliberately using USA Today to help its stock tomorrow – especially as some aren’t expecting it to be as good as AT&T’s from last week.
Regardless of that, it does make sense eventually to tap into the CDMA market – even if it’s only real market is the U.S. AT&T probably won’t let that happen though, and should offer some sweet incentives. Additionally, Apple and AT&T have been cozy for a while – remember the god awful RockR? Verizon also likes to exert a lot of control over the phones on its network, which may make Verizon think twice.
The big V could go the other way and push hard for exclusive BlackBerrys or another competitor. I would say the Pre, but I have it by a reliable source that AT&T will definitely have the GSM version sooner or later.
achilles heal??? you mean achilles heel?
No. He means Achilles’ heel.
Don’t forget to capitalize, apostrophize, and drink your Ovaltine!
I left verizon because of crippled phones and the only way i go back is if they let the iphone be the iphone. all i want is a reliable, fast network. you can take all the other “features” you try to tack on and shove them you know where.
I am with you if you mean forcing Rhapsody on people. As a Verizon customer that is my biggest complaint. The Rhapsody business model seems to be more about tricking people out of their money than offering a decent product for a respectabnle price.
However, I might be tempted to try the Verizon version of the Ihype. Although I have never been able to get any Apple software to work on a PC yet and I will not be able to afford a Mac for a few years still.
• You pay to call and you pay to receive. How can phone cell phone companies get away with the scam to charge for also accepting phone calls?
I have been disappointed with AT&T’s service as well. I many times do not get calls at all for a couple hour period of time. They will then come flooding in with text messages and voicemail’s from the span of time that I wasn’t able to receive anything.
Every time I call they act like they’ve never heard of it before…BULLSH*T
I hear ya loud and clear. I switched from AT&T to Verizon 6 years ago because of way too many dropped calls. They tried telling me that my 1 year old phone was the problem, and tried selling me on a new phone with a new 2 year contract.
Several of my colleagues have the iPhone, which they love, but hate the coverage and service of AT&T.
I want an iPhone on Verizon as much as the next guy, but I don’t see it happening for several years at a minimum.
I would switch back to Verizon for an IPhone but I will not switch to AT&T their service in my area is horrible. I will not buy that service
“…the Achilles’ heal of the iPhone…”
Nice.
Yes, time wounds all heels.
Bloopers like that one don’t make the Washington Post (which carried this story) look very good either.
I am so sick of hearing people bitch about companies because they wouldn’t let them out of contract “early.” WTF are you high or something? You SIGNED a 2 year contract…and now you wanna leave early and you think they should/would do you a favor and leave 3 months before your out of contract? Idiots. Pay full retail for your phones so you can be month to month with your service and STFU.
It’s about time iPhone users had a choice in networks …. http://tinyurl.com/cfknw5
Just unlock the thing. The majority of the world uses the technology the iPhone supports anyway. I want an iPhone, but not a cell phone company. I want to be able to move companies as I see fit. Giving the iPhone to a cell phone company encourages high prices and no competition. If ATT and the other companies had to compete for your business data fees would be cheaper.
Another question is how they would differentiate the two phones. Verizon especially likes exclusive features for the CDMA version of phones… a large part of what makes the Blackberry line so obnoxious with the several variants. It’s highly unlikely Verizon would have the exact same phone as the GSM based AT&T phone.
They will want some sort of exclusive hardware or software differentiation.
Their “exclusive hardware differentiation” = removing GPS, WiFi, and anything else they can sell you an add-on service for.
Whats with the Verizon company profile; Verizon Communications and Verizon Wireless are separate companies.
I would love to see a Verizon iphone for the fact that at&t sucks on the east coast compared to Verizon, the only place at&t has good coverage is in major cities once you leave them the coverage is dreadful.
There might be another way around the at&t, Apple deal Verizon had the open handset crap and couldn’t apple sell unlocked phones and people just buy them from the Apple store then go to a Verizon store or however that open handset crap will work.
I haven’t had any problems with the AT&T network. I travel all over the US and occasionally out of the country and really I have not had issues. I think that the old AT&T had real issues. When Bell South purchased them they began to upgrade their towers and network. Except for the occasional dead zone in rural areas I am really quite happy. I do think that the iPhone will be everywhere eventually though. 30K apps in 9 months is very amazing. Unmatched by anything else.
I paid my early termination fees with Verizon this weekend to get an iPhone…
if Verizon has them in a couple months… I’d cry.
Just last week Apple stated in their public forum for stockholders they are happy with AT&T. Verizon CDMA was the main reason Apple decided not to go with Verizon, and the fact that Verizon was a bunch of boneheads about the arrangement.
Now, we see Verizon wanting to get into the iPhone thing, and they’re probably the ones behind the rumors. But until they go 4G there’s little chance Apple will expand their relationship in the US any. No way Apple is going to do a handset for a dying technology like CDMA.
It will take until 2010 for Verizon to sufficiently cripple the phone as they do with all of their others. And on top of that, it will be the 2008 version that they offer. So really, it shouldn’t be considered too much of a threat to AT&T.
@Chester, Apple wouldn’t allow a crippled iPhone.
First of all, iPhone in Japan and Korea are already CDMA (despite being a weird flavor of CDMA) devices because there is no GSM in those countries.
Secondly, CDMA is not a crap technology. In fact, all phones today are more or less CDMA…just that the GSM flavor of it (W-CDMA) doesn’t pay royalties to Qualcomm.
Finally, when a carrier says “they’ll have LTE in 2010″, that means they’ll have it in their most important markets, so any LTE phone released in 2010 will most certainly need to be backward compatible and won’t really deliver that 4G experience all of the time…if at all if you live in a tier-2 city.
I think the biggest hurdle to seeing an iPhone on Verizon is their culture of control. They are worst when it comes to crippling device/application functionality and having an iPhone stipulates a lot more openness than what they’re used to.
From the Verizon Facebook page:
Temica Da Dutchess Ferrigon: Sue, Apple presented the iPhone to Verizon first and we turned it down. The phone has more problems than its worth. But thanks for JOINING the VERIZON group to share your thoughts….. looks like we continue to build our 80million strong as we pull our competitiors facebook user too!
http://www.face...ook.com/verizon
I’ve been a Verizon user for years before I finally switched to iPhone. Love the phone and am putting up with the crappy AT&T service. I’d GLADLY pay $1,000 for a Verizon iPhone….
Yeah, not seeing the issue. I haven’t had a single issue with AT&T since getting my iPhone. In fact, I have fewer dropped calls across the board compared to my old Verizon phone. For most calls, my iPhone is as good as a landline. That’s true even at my in-laws who live in the middle of nowhere. I only get one bar, but that’s exactly what I got with Verizon, too.
Let us now proceed to the “calling me an AT&T shill” comments…
Can you hear me now? No
Verizoon sucks. http://iamned.com/blog/
I live in Washington DC, not exactly the middle-of-nowhere. There are 2 areas I drive very often INSIDE the beltway that drops my calls (river rd and 123 for those interested). In my condo I have to hold my phone to the window to even hope to get reception on my iPhone. I NEVER had a dropped call with Verizon. I love my iPhone and that is the only reason I switched to AT&T. I would switch back to Verizon in a heartbeat if they had the iPhone.
If this is true, I wonder what the capabilities would be of unlocking it and putting it on Sprint?
to who’s advantage are these rumors? does this rumor help apple? no. does it help att? no. does, it help verison by staving off competition? yes.
i live in the boondocks of hawaii. when i moved to new place here the att reception was not so good. i complained and within a month they had updated the tower. att has the best service on kauai. when i travel elsewhere it certainly seems adequate but that is not very objective.
I personally believe they are working out an LTE version of the iPhone. Verizon might have their LTE network ready when the AT&T contract expires. Apple just recently said it was not interested in CDMA. It makes sense since there is no future for CDMA technology and both AT&T and Verizon are going LTE.
I broke my Verizon contract when the first iPhone came out and never looked back. Screw Verizon and their iron-fist policy towards devices. I suffered for years under Verizon and their crappy phones. Reception is about the same here in Seattle, so the choice was easy.
I want to see Verizon on their knees for a CMDA iPhone.
Not certain why the all AT&T hate here in the comments, but my 3G AT&T iPhone service is fantastic in the Chicago metro area.
My Verizon WorldEdition (work) connects a little better in certain areas but I consider it a one trick pony – push enterprise email and Sametime – that isn’t asked to do the same things as I use my iPhone for.
AT&T works flawlessly all over the southeastern USA from Florida up to the Carolinas and over to Georgia. Cities and countryside. I dont know what people are talking about – the crappy reception and all.
On the other hand, Verizon sucks and I live in a very large southeastern city. I had the secretary of Verizon Wireless tell me to go find another carrier – so I did. AT&T. It plain old works.
I hope to hell that the iPhone isnt moving to Verizon. I will dump it in a heartbeat.
Is anybody else SICK of that guy in the Verizon ads?
Sifting through all the BS….
Verizon sucks….Why:
Just look at all of their phones. Proprietary POS’s I dont want an Iphone that has Verizon and Red and Black smeared all over it. I bought the phone, it should look sound and work like i paid for!!!! Their Phones are so retarded looking. GSM tech is soooo much better. Buy any unlocked phone off the net and insert sim…DONE! Anyone who says cdma is better is an American who has never been to Korea or Japan or Europe. You wouldnt believe the crap they can do on their phones. Verizon spent the last 10 years updating Turd-v1.0 to Turd-v.2.0 instead of just simply installing new tech. Sure they have more coverage as a result of it. But, because they have used nothing but CDMA2000-EVDO, until they implement LTE, the switch will be much harder on VERIZON than AT&T or T-Mobile. Hell, the biggest reason why they are going to switch is because Vodaphone(100% GSM) owns 45% of verizon and US customers have to buy special CDMA/GSM phones to use home/overseas. And there is no probably to AT&T upgrading to LTE, they have already started, a umts-hspda network is the baseline for that tech. Both are packet switched networks, the current GSM uses IPv4, as does 99% of the world thanks to NAT!
I really like how this article and the “verizon” people commenting on it, portray this 4G technology as something Verizon is inventing.
If you wanna separate fact from fiction Learn about the chronological development of 1G(GPRS), 2G, 2.5G(EDGE), 2.75G, & 3G to 4G!!!! Long-Term Evolution. Endorsed by the 3GPP as the official way to burn wireless rubber in the next few years, LTE is a progression of GSM’s UMTS platform, making it an ironic choice for CDMA stalwart Verizon and a huge blow for the CDMA Development Group’s competing UMB standard.
Its all a part of the GSM/wCDMA EVOLUTION BABY
Get on board with a GSM carrier and you will be happier overall. Unless your 70 yrs old and all you care about is calling someone. And you dont mind Verizon telling you that the 400 dollar phone you bought from them, has been stripped of its USB transfer, Bluetooth networking, Homemade ringtones,limited browser, etc etc etc… all for the sake of being able to call someone in the middle of B.F.E. on an ancient analogue network put up in 1984 and V-aholes making extra money off of you for wallpapers,ringtones, browsing. I hate you Verizon!!! You screwed me out of hundreds of dollars for 2 years!!!!!!!!! I have been GSM ever since and have been able to what the hell i want, when i want with my HTC Dream! IN YOUR FACE!