iPhone on Verizon: 'A Decision That is Exclusively in Apple's Court'

[MacRumors]

Verizon reported its quarterly earnings before the markets opened for trading today, showing increased revenue and subscribers, but decreased profit as the company worked to complete integration of former wireless competitor Alltel amid uncertain economic conditions. As noted by Digital Daily Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg claimed in the company's earnings conference call that bringing the iPhone to Verizon is entirely Apple's call and that the carrier would be happy to have it on its network.

During a conference call to discuss Verizon's third quarter earnings, Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg said bringing the iPhone to Verizon is entirely Apple's call. "This is a decision that is exclusively in Apple's court," he said. "Obviously we would be interested if 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. . . We want to broaden the base of choice for customers, and hopefully along the way, Apple, as well as others, will decide to jump on the bandwagon."

Verizon has recently begun targeting both the iPhone and AT&T in recent advertising campaigns, leading to speculation that the carrier does not foresee an introduction of the iPhone on its network and is thus willing to burn bridges with Apple in the new ads.

Offering the iPhone on Verizon's current network would require hardware modifications, given the difference in technology standards used by Verizon compared to all other carriers Apple has partnered with to offer the iPhone. Seidenberg previously noted that the iPhone would be more likely to come to Verizon next year when the company begins rolling out its 4G LTE wireless network, which will utilize the same standards as AT&T and other global wireless companies. Verizon expects to roll out LTE to 25-30 markets by the end of 2010, with full deployment expected to take until 2013.

Article Link: iPhone on Verizon: 'A Decision That is Exclusively in Apple's Court'

[thegoldenmackid]

After the great advertising campaign and now this.

[theLastBeatle]

look at him trying to save face by grouping apple in with all the others that are welcome to join verizons "bandwagon". it's more like apples bandwagon. that shows no class.

[MacFly123]

Originally Posted by theLastBeatle

look at him trying to save face by grouping apple in with all the others that are welcome to join verizons "bandwagon". it's more like apples bandwagon. that shows no class.

Ya. I say BLA BLA BLA Verizon. It won't happen till 4G, and who cares! Verizon had the chance and screwed themselves over, so they can eat it!

[kingtj]

I was once a faithful Verizon customer, but I dumped them long before the iPhone existed - because their rate plans were terrible.

I know with all of AT&T's issues, it's easy to reach out to any competitor as a "better" choice - but seriously, Verizon would be among my *last* choices, if I could have my pick of any carrier for the iPhone.

For starters, I was really using a lot of peak minutes at one point during my Verizon contract (used the phone all the time for the on-site computer service business I was working for, plus lots of personal calls). My bills started getting ridiculous, due to constant "overages". Verizon, however, refused to sell me a plan with any more peak minutes, claiming I was already on the "largest plan they offered". (Sprint, by comparison, was happy to charge reasonable little $5 fees to buy blocks of extra minutes as you went over their monthly allotment. And if I had used U.S. Cellular, it wouldn't have even become an issue, since all incoming calls are free with them - and that was easily 3/4ths. of the calls I was dealing with.)

Additionally, Verizon is expensive for their data. Unlimited data plans are typically around $49.95 per month. Sure, they could do what AT&T did and make a special set of pricing plans for iPhones -- but my guess is that if they did, you'd be paying at least $10-20 more per month than AT&T's rates.

Lastly, while I didn't have all the dropped calls I get with AT&T, I did experience a lot of noisy calls I had to cancel and re-try to get a usable connection. Verizon was really bad about giving me a call where I'd hear another conversation going on in the background, or my own voice echoing in the background every time I spoke.

Verizon dumps a LOAD of money on advertising, but just because we all know the face of the "Can you hear me now?" guy doesn't mean they *really* have the most trouble-free and reliable network in the marketplace. My experience is, they have an "adequate" network with "above average" coverage, but you pay top dollar for something that's not really "impressive" at all on overall call quality.

Originally Posted by MacFly123

Ya. I say BLA BLA BLA Verizon. It won't happen till 4G, and who cares! Verizon had the chance and screwed themselves over, so they can eat it!

[stagi]

Originally Posted by theLastBeatle

look at him trying to save face by grouping apple in with all the others that are welcome to join verizons "bandwagon". it's more like apples bandwagon. that shows no class.

So true, I doubt Jobs after all this will really want to jump on the bandwagon

[Vandam500]

Originally Posted by thegoldenmackid

After the great advertising campaign and now this.

So true. Pretty idiotic IMO to do the ads like that and still be "obviously" interested in having the iPhone on their network... Sigh.

[thejadedmonkey]

I think the ad campaign is one of the best ideas, because either Apple will be forced to play ball with Verizon, or Apple will be forced to take the negative publicity, but either way Verizon is in control.

[LagunaSol]

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

I think the ad campaign is one of the best ideas, because either Apple will be forced to play ball with Verizon,

Hardly.

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

or Apple will be forced to take the negative publicity

I saw very little negative impact (or publicity) to Apple from these ads. Do consumers care about "widgets" or even know what they are? Do consumers care about taking pictures in the dark? (As if Droid will be able to do that successfully anyway.) The ads to me came across as desperate and unconvincing.

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

but either way Verizon is in control.

*snicker*

[Ambrose Chapel]

iphone on verizon seems so win-win-win that it's got to be inevitable:

apple grows marketshare
verizon grows subscribers
att's network will get less hammered (though it loses subscribers).

we'll see if one of these parties snatches defeat from the jaws of victory...

[samcraig]

Having worked in the industry back in the 90s I can't speak to Verizon - but I can speak about Sprint. And I was a happy customer so this isn't some sort of rant at all.

Sprint is EXTREMELY (or was at least) VERY difficult to work with. Their requirements, review processes, etc easily delayed production on several phones to the point that the phones were just dropped altogether and adapted into new ones on other carriers.

Again - this was in the 90s and things might have gotten looser with their "input". But I'm guessing it's still pretty stringent.

[NoExpectations]

Originally Posted by Ambrose Chapel

iphone on verizon seems so win-win-win that it's got to be inevitable:

apple grows marketshare
verizon grows subscribers
att's network will get less hammered (though it loses subscribers).

we'll see if one of these parties snatches defeat from the jaws of victory...

My money is on T-Mobile.....their network can support it right now.

[HyperZboy]

My big question is, lets say Apple does release a 4G iPhone that is Verizon compatible. Wouldn't that iPhone also have to be backward compatible for CDMA 3G? And would such a phone with both 4G & CDMA be able to be produced in the same physical shape as the current iPhone with no greater thickness?

I ask this because there is no way in hell Apple will make a bulkier iPhone just to support Verizon because we already know Verizon isn't going out of their way to make many or any concessions to Apple and basically turned down the original iPhone so it's unlikely Apple is going to offer any new concessions. Why would they with sales as they are now? I wonder if maybe Apple strikes a deal instead for just a budget $99 3G CDMA iPhone for Verizon when ATT roles out its 4G network.

Verizon is trying to have its cake and eat it too, attack the iPhone, but at the same time keep the door open to talks with Apple. It'll be interesting to see what the sales on some of these new smartphones like Droid and Pre and others end up being. I just don't see Verizon making any concessions to Apple until it's clear the competitors are not selling well and it starts hurting Verizon's bottom line.

[ctdonath]

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

either way Verizon is in control.

Verizon is losing customers in no small part to their insistence on crippling good phones just to make a buck and to make it look like "theirs". Prime example: the RAZR had Bluetooth & USB file access, making transferring photos to a PC easy & free ... but Verizon ripped out that ability in favor of forcing customers to either transfer photos at $0.05 each or do a physical card swap, both of which are annoying at best; in addition, they were keen on making the GUI look like all other Verizon-branded phones, not caring that users want the best phone they can and don't care that it looks like a phone they don't use.

I'm sure the "it's up to Apple" includes the footnote "but we have to make it look like a lame Verizon GUI, and have to charge users for everything we possibly can". IIRC, Apple had to throw around considerable weight just to get AT&T to accept the iPhone as-is.

[JesterJJZ]

Originally Posted by ctdonath

the RAZR had Bluetooth & USB file access, making transferring photos to a PC easy & free ... but Verizon ripped out that ability in favor of forcing customers to either transfer photos at $0.05 each or do a physical card swap, both of which are annoying at best.

? I've accessed my RAZR over bluetooth with my Mac for years. I move photos in and off of it all the time.

[heisetax]

Originally Posted by ctdonath

Verizon is losing customers in no small part to their insistence on crippling good phones just to make a buck and to make it look like "theirs". Prime example: the RAZR had Bluetooth & USB file access, making transferring photos to a PC easy & free ... but Verizon ripped out that ability in favor of forcing customers to either transfer photos at $0.05 each or do a physical card swap, both of which are annoying at best; in addition, they were keen on making the GUI look like all other Verizon-branded phones, not caring that users want the best phone they can and don't care that it looks like a phone they don't use.

I'm sure the "it's up to Apple" includes the footnote "but we have to make it look like a lame Verizon GUI, and have to charge users for everything we possibly can". IIRC, Apple had to throw around considerable weight just to get AT&T to accept the iPhone as-is.

I have Verizon cell phone service for the cell phone service not because of all of the other features that should be included but Verizon takes away unless I choose to give them more money for my own personal work. Things are so crippled with my nice Motorola KRazr that 99% of the mini-USB chargers that I have tried with the phone is listed as an unauthorized charger & will not charge my phone.

When, if I finally give in & mix my computer work with my cell phone then unless Verizon changes 180 degrees from how they are now I will be forced to change cell phone companies. I agree with you that Verizon may want the iPhone, but the iPhone exists because of the lack of control by the cell phone company that normally limits service.

When the Motorola Droid comes out I'll wait to see if Verizon will let it operate the way they say that it can operate or if they treat it like all other smart phones & clip it at its knees. If they allow the Droid to work then it will show Apple that even they can give up control. They will help Apple & also help those that have to have Verizon cell phone service & want an iPhone. Without the success of the Droid or some other phone on Verizon with Verizon giving up their ultra tight grip on cell phones on their system, Verizon will just stay with business as usual. That would mean very little difference between a smart phone & a "dumb" phone.

Apple with their App Store shows that they want to be in control as much as Verizon does. This shows that Apple is really no different than other companies that everyone belittles here. The fact that I can't get the iPhone on Verizon & Apple's complete control of applications on the iPhone are the 2 leading causes as to why I do not have an iPhone. Eliminating one of those 2 reasons would force me to make a decision. Apple's control of the iPod Touch/iPhone App Store has also kept me away from the iPod Touch.

Who will give in the most? Will the iPhone ever make it to Verizon. In order to make the iPhone better we need a strong smartphone competitor. Who will stand up to the plate & fill that need?

[jellomizer]

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

I think the ad campaign is one of the best ideas, because either Apple will be forced to play ball with Verizon, or Apple will be forced to take the negative publicity, but either way Verizon is in control.

Not necessarily. Targeting negative advertisements can back fire. Apple walks a very fine line for their switch commercials. Being too negative can back fire as people know they are being defensive from a strong competitor. So the iCant commercials may get people well what can the iPhone do and see what it does do. Also it shows that Verizon is scared of Apple. Just as Microsofts I'm a PC shows that Microsoft is scared of Apple.

The Apples switch adds while negative targets are very carefully done.

[JGowan]

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

I think the ad campaign is one of the best ideas, because either Apple will be forced to play ball with Verizon, or Apple will be forced to take the negative publicity, but either way Verizon is in control.

I think you're wrong here. Apple doesn't go negatively even with MICROSOFT (the company name) -- they'll prod the generic PC or lambaste the product Vista, but they don't mention Microsoft by name. They only do this because they are the underdog only in marketshare. They wouldn't give Droid the time of day in an ad unless it were bigger than them in the market. A lot bigger. It's not even out so that's not going to happen.

What will happen... People will continue to push Apple's numbers up and up and up until Verizon realizes that, to not get killed, it'll have to bow to the demands that Jobs wants in order to get the iPhone on the Verizon network. I'm sure by then, Steve will want EVEN MORE. Ha -- suck it, Verizon.

Verizon is not in the driver's seat like you think. It wants to be and it wants to still believe it'll always be. But Apple is showing the industry that people will decide on their cellphone provider because of a device -- that's really never happened before.

[zombitronic]

Ironic. Verizon, having rejected before, already had it in their court. They kicked it out.

Verizon Rejected iPhone Deal due to Apple's Terms

[aristotle]

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

I think the ad campaign is one of the best ideas, because either Apple will be forced to play ball with Verizon, or Apple will be forced to take the negative publicity, but either way Verizon is in control.

You are talking like the rest of the world gives a damn about Verizon.

[mlblacy]

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

I think the ad campaign is one of the best ideas, because either Apple will be forced to play ball with Verizon, or Apple will be forced to take the negative publicity, but either way Verizon is in control.

From the beginning Verizon was deeply in the weeds, and completely discounted that Apple's first foray into the mobile market would be a home run. Unfortunately I have been a V customer since then, and still am. In the very beginning the V stores seemed to have pre-prepared talking points about how the iPhone was "no good". Funny how if the phone was "no good" just about every manufacturer began to rip off the look and feel of the iPhone pretty darn fast. Mobile companies also did not support the folks who were not PC based, and could afford to do so as we mac folks were in the large minority.

Speaking about Verizon being in control. Verizon also tends to crap up everything with their zeal for control, and desire to stamp their "brand" all over the place. Buy music for your phone? Sure... but only through their own store, and paying twice as much as you would through Apple. Sure, over the years I am sure the dedicated mac tech geek could get around some of the obstacles... but in the end you still would not have the iPhone.

If Verizon could get over themselves for a few minutes and realize that their market growth would be HUGE if they bent a little and actually tried to work WITH Apple (as opposed to waiting around for Apple to come to their hallowed doors). If their coverage is so superior, then what are they afraid of? How many phones have come out over the years that were supposed to be "iPhone killers"? Sorry... they mostly just sucked in comparison (and I have had a bunch of them, since ALL my phones seem to conveniently last only a year or so).

I would love the iPhone to finally come to Verizon, but I would hope that APPLE remains in control of the interface, and not Verizon. I doubt that will happen because V wants everything to go back to them... music, apps, ringtones, etc... and they are greedy.

If ATT had better plans for families, and with unlimited texting, etc. I would leave Verizon in a heartbeat. But for a family of 4 phones it doesn't make sense, at least for us in our area (sadly). Sorry, but the bad publicity is only for Verizon, and I am a long-time V customer....
cheers,
michael

[Ambrose Chapel]

Originally Posted by mlblacy

I would love the iPhone to finally come to Verizon, but I would hope that APPLE remains in control of the interface, and not Verizon. I doubt that will happen because V wants everything to go back to them... music, apps, ringtones, etc... and they are greedy.

they need to accept that we only want them to be a dumb pipe.

[iOrlando]

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

I think the ad campaign is one of the best ideas, because either Apple will be forced to play ball with Verizon, or Apple will be forced to take the negative publicity, but either way Verizon is in control.

i really doubt people are looking at apple in a negative light because of the verizon commercials. The commercial about the new droid phone is irrelevant...those kind of commercials will spark interest in the phone, but when comes down to it...the commercial doesnt address any of the major problems people have with the iphone.

The commercial with the maps is better for an ad against att but its misleading because most of the areas where att has 3G is where most people live. Verizon has like all of montana covered in red (which makes them look good) but who is in montana using iphones and such...not many. you would be shocked at how small an area most americans actually live.

[mdriftmeyer]

Originally Posted by thejadedmonkey

I think the ad campaign is one of the best ideas, because either Apple will be forced to play ball with Verizon, or Apple will be forced to take the negative publicity, but either way Verizon is in control.

Nothing further could be true. They are not in control and they know it.

[Ericatomars]

I would love to see the iPhone on verizon.. If it happens cool but it's still a few years away. If it even happens at all... So it looks like the game plan in febuary is still good bye verizon and hello t-mobile and an unlocked iPhone because I refuse to go to AT&T... And if later on the iPhone comes to verizon then I will switch back