Verizon Speaks: Interested in iPhone but Decision Up to Apple
According to Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon wants the iPhone, but Apple isn’t offering it yet. More precisely:
“This is a decision that is exclusively in Apple’s court. We obviously would be interested at any point in the future they thought it would make sense for them to have us as a partner. And so we will leave it with them on that score.”
Seidenberg was speaking during Verizon’s Q3 financial results call, and dropped that little nuggest amid chatter about whole army of Droids, the Palm Pre, and (sigh) Verizon’s own app store.
Of course, this is the also the man who last year, when asked how Verizon would compete with the iPhone 3G said:
“Steve Jobs eventually will get old . . . I like our chances.”
So maybe he doesn’t like them so much anymore, even apres-attack ads?
Since Verizon still uses a different radio technology than the iPhone (CDMA/EVDO instead of GSM/EDGE/HSPA), declined to go HSPA like Bell and Telus in Canada (both of whom are getting the iPhone in a matter of weeks), and 4G/LTE is still a ways off, we’re not going to hold our breath (and you shouldn’t either) for a quick Apple fix.
We’ve already speculated what a Verizon iPhone might look like, but hopefully the Droid will prove how open they’re becoming, and the Verizon faithful will finally get their iPhone (with Wifi, App Store, open GPS, and without ugly trifold branding) sometime in the future…
October 26th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
There won’t be a Verizon iPhone as long as Apple has to make them with different technologies. This of course is just my opinion, based upon absolutely nothing.
October 26th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Can they still expect the iPhone to come around, after the iDon’t fiasco?
October 26th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
I agree with what’s already been said here. Verizon outright attacks the iPhone and Apple in two mass media marketing campaigns, then wants to be a candidate for iPhone carriership. Sorry Verizon, it just doesn’t work that way.
October 26th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
apple has the money to make cdma iphone. If apple reallly got pissed off they would release it on all 4 us carriers and then sitback and watch their marketshare grow. Triple
October 26th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
I’m sick of hearing verizon bashing. Yes I use AT&T but only because it’s my only choice if I want an iPhone.. But AT&Ts network sucks. I drop calls all the time, and when I’m 10 miles outside the city, I lose my 3G coverage. Verizon has been showing sign after sign of a turnaround as far as openness for the last year, even going as far as to say google voice will be allowed. We all know apple and AT&Ts stance on this. And let’s not forget apples patent to allow carrier customization. LTE is launching next year for verizon, and from what I understand, it should be apretty quick rollout. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say by 2011 or 2012 you will see an iPhone that can work on verizons network, wether it’s something offered by verizon, or simply a phone that can be used on their open network remains to be seen.
October 26th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
I think they should add tmobile not verizon or sprint
October 26th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
TMobile seems like the logical “non AT&T” partner for Apple at this point.
Verizon and Sprint have just been too anti-apple.
TMobile, while being the first carrier to embrace Android, managed to do so without any ridiculous “negative campaign ads”, and for this I respect them. Apple should too.
October 26th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
@RonJeremy
TURN YOUR CAPS LOCK OFF
October 26th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I agree T-Mobile is the logical choice especially when their network will be at 21mbps by the end of the summer….
October 26th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I honestly don’t think the iDon’t ads would have any effect on a business relationship between Apple and Verizon. If you look at Apples own I’m a PC ads, they do the exact same thing.. They basically say that we are better, and PC has nothing but problems. Yet look at Apples computers.. Most of them have been revamped with Intel processors just to run Windows and they use that as a selling point. Now if Microsoft wanted to be asses they could “fix” windows so it would not install/run on a Mac, but they would rather sell software to someone that would not purchase their product otherwise. It all comes down to the mighty dollar.
October 26th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
@striatic “TMobile, while being the first carrier to embrace Android, managed to do so without any ridiculous “negative campaign ads”, and for this I respect them. Apple should too.”
Yeah, because Apple would never post a negative ad…
October 26th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
I personally want a verizon iPhone
But tmobile seems like the logical choice and I won’t switch from AT&T verizon has the ntwork
October 26th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
I hope this happens soon. AT &T is pretty pathetic.
October 26th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
They should rename this blog “sh it I read on engadget earlier today”
October 26th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
It has taken AT&T 4 years to be able to handle the iPhone and they don’t seem to be all the way there yet. I’m in Baltimore and personally don’t have any coverage issues but I read the complaints all the time. Any new carrier (in my opinion) will be 5 years behind AT&T. I could be wrong but I doubt they could handle the traffic.
October 26th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
AT&T…… STEP UP YOUR GAME…..
October 27th, 2009 at 12:17 am
Shocker VZW talks big and then turns around and cries mama for Apple’s mercy. Shocker….
Too lil too late VZW, Jobs has a MUCH bigger ego than thou, as we all know well
October 27th, 2009 at 12:49 am
VZ can’t handle voice and data simultaneously. This is one of the areas where AT&T has them over a barrel, and makes the iPhone perform much more diversely on the AT&T network.
Believe me if iPhone goes to VZ you will see colored iPhones or at the very least they’ll have some other aesthetic variation.
If apple partners with VZ their market share will skyrocket to an almost monopoly-level over blackberry
it might also have to compete directly, and even take a back seat to the android, the up-and-comer on VZ network.
Not taking a side in this one, but those are the factors as I see em.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:00 am
Most of you are just at&t fanboys! The truth is, that in the united states verizon has the largest customer base, if apple expanded to another network it would most likely be verizon! Remember apple first went to verizon with the iphone, but verizon at the time was one big control freak, so apple went to at&t. Now verizon has become much more reasonable and i am sure apple will go to them if they wanted to expand. Lastly, what is this sprint ****? Why in the world would apple go to sprint? Thats just gross! I know for a fact that if the iphone went to verizon i would throw my at&t iphone out the window and buy the verizon version of the phone, an ugly red logo on the front of the phone would be a small price to pay for a phone that wont drop calls six times a day.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:04 am
If Telus and Bell can make their networks work for all types of phones why can’t Verizon? They got more people & they got more money to make the changes needed to happen…! Can’t wait for Iphone on Telus BBye BBye to my BB-Storm no matter what the costs!!!
October 27th, 2009 at 2:13 am
While it would be great for consumers, and allow Apple to sell millions of additional iPhones, part of me wants Apple to just tell them to shove it. Obviously carriers sell phones from competing manufacturers, but how common is it for them to create bitter negative ads for one product aimed at another product they also sell? IMO they need to take a time-out in the corner before they get to sell the iPhone.
And for Apple’s sake, it would be more efficient to wait until everybody’s on LTE anyway. It would be a good reason for Verizon to invest in rolling out LTE quickly, if they had lots of new iPhone users (and maybe some returning from AT&T) to look forward to.
October 27th, 2009 at 3:00 am
Well if verizon got the iphone at&t will be great again. Because all the morons that had verizon but came to at&t for the iphone can go back to there pathetic carrier. Verizon will destroy the phone with whatever garbage they put on the other 10 phones they have(sarcasm). Also like jose said they can’t do voice and data simultaneously. And for those of you that things are going to be peachy with the iphone on verizon lol guess again. After all the yapping verizon’s been doing . If I was apple I would tell verizon you had your chance 3 years ago f**k off.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:27 am
I think its inevitable that verizon will get the iPhone (or the iPhone will come to verizon…) I guess all that’s holding up the process is an agreed contract. Apple want the monopoly without giving away a large slice of their profit cake.
October 27th, 2009 at 7:33 am
I’m not sure why some think Apple is sitting back taking all these “idon’t” commercials personally. It’s just business. Apple likes to poke at Microsoft but you also see Apple with bootcamp, pushing MS Office, etc.
On the other hand, Verizon is taking it easy by making their “iDon’t” commercials kind of vague and indirect. Kinda like they drew a line and don’t want to cross it. Ends up being ineffective IMO but that’s their choice.
If Apple thinks it’d be worthwhile profit wise to sell its iphone on Verizon, then they will do it. (That’s always been Apple’s first priority no matter what its customers demand) I think its more of a case of “if it aint broke, don’t fix it.” AT&T must be giving them a good deal.
AT&T gets dumped on but there’s good and bad having the Apple exclusive. Noone else wants to come to you while you’re in bed with Apple running mega iphone displays in all your AT&T stores. Apple basically has the #2 US carrier at its mercy.
October 27th, 2009 at 8:43 am
apple been slapped by verizon enough times in the face to not bother with vz.
i think this is more of vz’s pr bs then anything.
October 27th, 2009 at 9:18 am
I don’t really see how Verizon will be able to run a non-CDMA iPhone on its network any time soon. Yes, they will be rolling out LTE to major markets, but what happens when you drive 10 miles out of the city? Verizon has no GSM-compatible 3G or even EDGE network to fall back on, which would mean no data and no voice. Yes, AT&T has spotty 3G coverage, but you get EDGE in most places and voice coverage pretty much everywhere. Even T-Mobile would be a better choice since they are at least a GSM carrier. I can’t see a GSM iPhone on Verizon until their LTE coverage is nationwide.
October 27th, 2009 at 9:47 am
CDMA iphone? Why? Yes, Apple has a lot of money but I’m sure it won’t want to paint itself in the corner by giving up everything it has with ATT (app store profits, control of iphone software, etc.) to make a CDMA for a company that likes to control what you see/do with a phone (Verizon). Now that iphone exclusivity will end in many places in Europe–Apple will see even more people buying their GSM phones–doesn’t matter what Verizon thinks. Verizon’s CEO Ivan Seidenberg really meant the following–Apple would not cave into our business model/conditions–if they do in the future–we would be interested in adding them to our line of phones–the decision is exclusively in Apple’s court.
I’m also sure Verizon doesn’t want to test their network or experience customer complaints about their 3G network. I’m not an Apple supporter by any means, but I just don’t know why Apple would make a different version for CDMA users in the US (and maybe Japan). Believe China uses CDMA also–not sure. I’m sure that iphones in China would be even more crippled than what we see with Verizon today. Don’t get me wrong–I’d like to see one so I can get one for my wife and daughter. Verizon will use it to charge us even more for their services. I also think they over estimate their 3G network capabilities/availability–their ads leave a lot of room for discussion. I think Verizon has already made a decision with a couple other smartphone companies. Guess we’ll have to see what happens.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I’m staying with AT&T!!!! Fck Verizon wireless they suck
October 27th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Well Apple and VZW were in meetings a few months ago and it was speculated that it was for the tablet. Now if they did reach an agreement on the tablet how far away or hard would it be to agree on the iPhone. The market for a CDMA version is not limited to the states. And lately VZW seems like they’ve been loosing their Nazi-like grip on phones.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Yes one of the carriers in China is CDMA the other two use GSM. Supposedly Apple has to remove not disable the WIFI on any iPhone sold in China.
October 27th, 2009 at 11:01 am
You probably won’t see this happening until 2011
October 27th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Since verizon started bashing apple AT&T and the iPhone I highly dought they will get the phone now on there network. AT&T has been pretty good to me and my gf.
October 27th, 2009 at 11:30 am
The Tablet on Verizon (LTE) makes more sense to me than the iPhone. Verizon’s LTE will supposedly be data only meaning no voice, so Apple would still need to make a CDMA iPhone for their network. But LTE would be perfect for the data only tablet, plus a tablet computer would be able to make better use of 4G speed than a phone. But no way am I personally paying for yet another internet connection: home + iPhone is more than enough.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
“obviously would be interested at any point in the future” — obvious? Yeah right, considering they turned it down 2 years ago. Is it just now an obvious interest just because it is such a big money maker?
October 27th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
From what I had understood, Verizon was switching to LTE for both voice AND data. To do otherwise would just be plain dumb, but if they aren’t doing that, that’s the least of their worries. How do you make people switch from 90 million CDMA devices to LTE devices so you can get rid of the legacy CDMA support? They are still in early technical trials and we’ll see what they launch next year, but this much is certain:
Apple needs to get rid of exclusivity agreements for the iPhone. If you have a SIM card and you can get an unlimited data plan with your carrier or something similar that you can afford, you should be able to get an iPhone. The amount of time and resources that they have wasted fighting hackers has been ridiculous. Fighting hackers who try to steal stuff from the App Store- that’s fine. But they need to focus on the bigger picture here and that’s getting more customers.
Apple needs to partner with more carriers quicker than it already does. Sadly, it can’t just be about offering the iPhone, because Apple wants kickbacks from the data plans and there have to always be all these other negotiations. I consider it a no brainer for them to at least partner with T-Mobile in the States by next year. And then worry about Verizon when they’ve hopefully got their LTE set up and running. AT&T has screwed over a lot of people with their crappy network and so Apple’s customers deserve a better option.
Whatever a competitor does usually doesn’t bother Apple. If you’re Apple right now, you’re the belle of the ball. Pretty hard to “hurt your feelings”. MSoft and Apple have been in an advertising war for years yet that doesn’t stop cross development and cooperation between both companies. The ball is not in Apple’s court here, it is Verizon’s court. Get your LTE running, of course ensuring that it’s both voice and data, and only then is it worth Apple’s time to start these discussions. You can’t expect Verizon to keep their powder dry, when it comes to holiday season competition. They have to attack the iPhone and to their credit, Apple has been stupid enough to still handicap the iPhone in so many ways. I mean, when people point out that your phone can’t take a picture in the dark, whose fault is that?!?! I’ve been clamoring for a camera flash for almost three years now and Apple still isn’t smart enough to put on on their phone. So I mean, at the end of the day, Verizon has to be able to compete, and with the Storm 2 and the Android phones, they’ve got the best shot they’ve had in years.
It has taken Verizon forever to get a flagship phone and they finally have one in the form of the Storm 2. If an Android phone knocks it off, that’s fine too. But they finally have the ability to sell something besides their network. As much as I hated Verizon back in the day, with their awful proprietary OS, bluetooth crippling, and terrible phone selection, they’ve always been able to sell their network with the advertising equivalent of a great phone. They’ve made it this far on a great network and with a few more great devices, they may just hit the stratosphere, assuming they keep their promises about open development.
October 27th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
@Steve, some here may be AT&T fanboys, but there is no doubt that you are a Verizon fanboy. As for the Sprint comment, do a little research and you will find out that Sprint has the best data network. Verizon is close but not as good as Sprint. Yes, VZW is larger but if you don’t live the boonies Sprint is better and cheaper.
Verizon has promised to be more open, I’ll believe it when I see it. On the Palm Pre they want the Verizon App store from what I have read, real open there.
Why would Apple waste the money and time to develop a CDMA iPhone? It is a dying technology that will go the way of analog. Also, as someone pointed out that VZW will have to maintain CDMA for several years in order to switch people to LTE. Until then it would have to have CDMA until the VZW network was 100% LTE. That will be a while and the LTE iPhone would not work in the rural CDMA areas that will remain for a long period of time. Also, if there was a VZW iPhone the network would experience problems as did AT&T’s under the data intensive iPhone in addition to the Pre, Blackberry and Android phones.
T-Mobile is an excellent choice to carry the iPhone all they have to do is add the T-Mobile 3G spectrum and it’s a go.
October 27th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
The plan for VZW is for LTE to initially be for data only. And for you guys with that have forgotten AT&T was not GSM when cingular bought them. How did they get everyone to switch?
October 27th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
And how is the Storm2 VZWs flagship phone if AT&T is gonna have it as well?
October 27th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Are you all daft? Apple obviously dosent care about what network has the best service, they put the iphone on at$t, wait i meant to say at&t, this is all about money if verizon paid apple enough of it, once at&t’s contract ends apple WOULD make them one, even if CDMA is a dying technology, remember all companys need money and the more they get the happier they shall become. One las note……. Scott i never said verizon had a better data network, i said it was larger, everyone in this chat just wants the iphone to go to their favorite phone company! Scott is just a dang t-mobile fanboy that most likely hates all humans and wants to eat steve jobs for breakfast! Scot let me tell you that you have not seen the last of me…….if you ever make a statement on this website again i will be at your side telling you to shut up! I think that you are a fat 45 year old man that gets a thrill off of telling young boys like me that our dreams are not true well do i have something to say to you scott:
A long, long time ago… I can still remember How that music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And, maybe, they�d be happy for a while.
But february made me shiver With every paper I�d deliver. Bad news on the doorstep; I couldn�t take one more step.
I can�t remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride, But something touched me deep inside The day the music died.
So bye-bye, miss american pie. Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. And them good old boys were drinkin� whiskey and rye Singin�, “this�ll be the day that I die. “this�ll be the day that I die.”
Did you write the book of love, And do you have faith in God above, If the Bible tells you so? Do you believe in rock �n roll, Can music save your mortal soul, And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Well, I know that you�re in love with him `cause I saw you dancin� in the gym. You both kicked off your shoes. Man, I dig those rhythm and blues.
I was a lonely teenage broncin� buck With a pink carnation and a pickup truck, But I knew I was out of luck The day the music died.
I started singin�, “bye-bye, miss american pie.” Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin� whiskey and rye And singin�, “this�ll be the day that I die. “this�ll be the day that I die.”
Now for ten years we�ve been on our own And moss grows fat on a rollin� stone, But that�s not how it used to be. When the jester sang for the king and queen, In a coat he borrowed from james dean And a voice that came from you and me,
Oh, and while the king was looking down, The jester stole his thorny crown. The courtroom was adjourned; No verdict was returned. And while lennon read a book of marx, The quartet practiced in the park, And we sang dirges in the dark The day the music died.
We were singing, “bye-bye, miss american pie.” Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin� whiskey and rye And singin�, “this�ll be the day that I die. “this�ll be the day that I die.”
Helter skelter in a summer swelter. The birds flew off with a fallout shelter, Eight miles high and falling fast. It landed foul on the grass. The players tried for a forward pass, With the jester on the sidelines in a cast.
Now the half-time air was sweet perfume While the sergeants played a marching tune. We all got up to dance, Oh, but we never got the chance! `cause the players tried to take the field; The marching band refused to yield. Do you recall what was revealed The day the music died?
We started singing, “bye-bye, miss american pie.” Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin� whiskey and rye And singin�, “this�ll be the day that I die. “this�ll be the day that I die.”
Oh, and there we were all in one place, A generation lost in space With no time left to start again. So come on: jack be nimble, jack be quick! Jack flash sat on a candlestick Cause fire is the devil�s only friend.
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage My hands were clenched in fists of rage. No angel born in hell Could break that satan�s spell. And as the flames climbed high into the night To light the sacrificial rite, I saw satan laughing with delight The day the music died
He was singing, “bye-bye, miss american pie.” Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin� whiskey and rye And singin�, “this�ll be the day that I die. “this�ll be the day that I die.”
I met a girl who sang the blues And I asked her for some happy news, But she just smiled and turned away. I went down to the sacred store Where I�d heard the music years before, But the man there said the music wouldn�t play.
And in the streets: the children screamed, The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed. But not a word was spoken; The church bells all were broken. And the three men I admire most: The father, son, and the holy ghost, They caught the last train for the coast The day the music died.
And they were singing, “bye-bye, miss american pie.” Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. And them good old boys were drinkin� whiskey and rye Singin�, “this�ll be the day that I die. “this�ll be the day that I die.”
They were singing, “bye-bye, miss american pie.” Drove my chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin� whiskey and rye Singin�, “this�ll be the day that I die.”
October 28th, 2009 at 7:27 am
lte and the tech behind is pure data. go look into voice over lte, for more info.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Really Steve? Was that necessary? Kev, AT&T is not getting the Storm 2. It doesn’t support AT&T’s 3G bands in the US. Verizon/Vodafone have some stupid exclusivity agreement with RIM anyway. If you can hack your Storm 2, you can get EDGE data service on a GSM carrier, but hey, if you want a 2G phone with wifi, you can probably find a first generation iPhone on the Internet for less than the cost of a Storm 2.
October 28th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Now think about this one yall…COX communications is rumored to start their own cellular market soon. All I am saying is that thus far, COX has taken the communications world by storm and has made great success while doing so in terms of price, quality and bundling. I know having a wireless network is a whole new mountain to climb than wired, but COX has shown it’s supremecy all around in the services it provides. Maybe it would benifet them to roll out with the iphone granted apple takes advantage of COX’s great background. It’s a thought that would make so much sense.
October 28th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
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