As we enter the year 2010, many Apple Fanboys (myself included), are eagerly awaiting Apple’s fourth generation iPhone, the mobile smartphone device that changed everything we knew about cell phones.
While the rumors have been around since mid-2009, just around the iPhone 3GS’ announcement, that Apple and Verizon Wireless have been in discussion about releasing the multi-touch headset device on to the network. In fact, there are stories going around (I’m not 100% sure about the story, so no quotes or information here) that Apple actually talked to Verizon first prior to the 2007 release on AT&T’s network. As the story goes, Verizon turned down Apple because of the bandwidth the device required to work as designed.
Well, the rumors are back, and personally, I do hope the rumors have more fact than fiction. A Verizon iPhone could actually be an iPhone-killer in itself.
Verizon and AT&T have been duking it out recently as to which has the better network map, or faster data speeds. And, as an iPhone user myself, I have to say, AT&T really doesn’t stand a chance in either department. Since I got my first Nokia cell phone back in 2001, I have been on the Bellsouth Mobility/Cingular/AT&T network and while back in 2000, I really didn’t need anything more than basic cell phone service, I have noticed a difference with the current AT&T network. MMS messages don’t always go through the first time, iPhone Safari can be slow from time to time, and random “No Sim” messages popping-up on my iPhone have really made me curious about how the iPhone would do on Verizon’s network.
Since the iPhone is only on AT&T’s network, it is putting a major strain on system nationwide; and AT&T’s limited 3G calling map is a joke compared to Verizon’s network map. And to make things more interesting, Verizon is working on completely upgrading their network, by installing support for LTE-GSM, and beefing up their current EVDO networks. Could this be in preparation for an iPhone release? Only time will tell.
As for an iPhone on Verizon’s network, it will undoubtedly happen. Apple won’t put up with AT&T’s dated network for too much longer. As for when, I’d put my bets on middle of 2011, as Verizon is planing on having the LTE network installed and running by the end of this year. This transition would make it easier for Apple to jump on board without having to do a major hardware overhaul on the iPhone so they could sell the device on both AT&T and Verizon (and maybe T-Mobile?) concurrently.
