Sam OliverIvan Seidenberg made the comments Thursday at an investor conference, according to The Associated Press. Though he said nothing about an iPhone being built for his company's current CDMA network, he said he hopes Apple will allow Verizon to sell a smartphone for its forthcoming long-term evolution 4G network.
The CEO's comments come as rumors have steadily built for months that Apple is prepared to launch a Verizon-compatible CDMA iPhone in early 2011. This week, overseas suppliers indicated to one Wall Street analyst that Apple will begin manufacturing a CDMA iPhone in December of this year.
Reports of a January 2011 launch began in June, when Bloomberg said it was told Apple would start selling a CDMA handset at the start of next year. Assuming the handset would run on the Verizon network, it would mark the end of exclusivity in the U.S. for AT&T.
In terms of customers, Verizon is the largest wireless carrier in the U.S. Both it and rival AT&T are currently building their 4G networks.
AT&T announced last week that its LTE network is on track for a mid-2011 launch. Verizon, on the other hand, said it will launch its own LTE network in 30 National Football League cities in the U.S. by the end of 2010.
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
AppleInsider Staff
William Gallagher
Oliver Haslam
71 Comments
What is up with only covering football cities? Does that mean Green Bay, WI is getting LTE before everyone else?
Between ivans, it's all understanding..............
"We don't feel like we have an iPhone deficit," Mr. Seidenberg said. "We would love to carry it, but we have to earn it."
Mr. Seidenberg declined to comment on speculation that Verizon Wireless would get the iPhone some time next year. "I can't speak for Apple," he said.
and over the Atlantic, o2 still havnt got passed their 150mbps LTE trial in Cornwall.
Still cannot see Apple and Verizon being able to get along.
Maybe by the time LTE gets going, Verizon might let Steve Jobs have his way. But not now.
I would think Apple will come up with the compatible phone. But they will put it out only to whomever goes the Apple Way or the Highway.