Sprint to Also Get iPhone This Year?

[ValSalva]

I guess I'm lucky to be in a part of the country where AT&T is just as good or better than Verizon. Still I hope the iPhone is on more and more carriers because then there would only be price to choose between iPhone carries which should drive down price a bit.

The increasing of the early termination fee from AT&T lends more credence to these rumors of other carriers being announced at WWDC.

 

[scottparker999]

I hope these rumours are true. Being a Brit i am sick of hearing all these AT&T complaints, i mean if the service was really that bad, would Apple have chosen them in the first place?

 

[ShiggyMiyamoto]

*prays to the Sprint gods that this'll happen*

 

[Protius1]

Everytime i talk to BestBuy employees, they don't know jack...

hahaha LMAO!! Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!!

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

One of Apple's, and Steve Job's, biggest flubs in recent years has been the exclusivity contract with AT&T. IMO, it was ill advised and essentially allowed the market that the Droid phone has been able to capitalize on. A friend of mine told me that he has a Droid simply because AT&T doesn't service the areas that he works in well. He said that everyone with an AT&T based phone has issues with horrendous service and continual dropped calls. Most people he works with have Droids with a smaller number with Blackberry's.

AT&T stalled building out their network and spent that money on advertising and buying Cingular (not to mention Whitacre's penchant for blowing massive sums of money on salaries and remodeling executive offices and perks) rather than completing that last mile in their network. It's only in recent years that AT&T has taken the performance of their network seriously by building it out in major metropolitan areas. Even then, reports are mixed on the success. I get more dropped calls and have more problems around here than I have ever had.

Sure, an iPhone that did both CDMA and GSM would be technologically hard to pull off however I've heard that many phone manufacturers have made two versions of their phones to support the incompatible formats... Apple could have OWNED the smartphone market in the US but made a deal with the provider with the worst network. It didn't make sense. Although if it is true that Verizon was offered the iPhone (unlikely because of the obvious incompatibility with the rest of the world not running CDMA) then perhaps a lot of the problem is Verizon trying to dictate to Apple what they would allow...

Who knows. Will the Verizon iPhone support the current CDMA or the future 4-G protocol... Stay tuned...

It does appear though that a Verizon iPhone will be driven by profit rather than some sort of altruistic motive. There should have been no agreement with AT&T that included exclusivity. Apple, and their customers have paid for it.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I won't consider switching off of AT&T to any network that doesn't support simultaneous voice-and-data. I badly want AT&T to unlock tethering, but I'll take voice-and-data without tethering over the reverse. I'm surprised at how few people seem concerned about this when discussing hopes for multiple iPhone carriers.

I heard a rumor that Verizon was going to be releasing this capability RSN... Perhaps in time for the iPhone?

It would be delicious if Verizon offered tethering out of the gate and AT&T still didn't...

 

[H0M3R]

I am on Sprint and would like to have a chance to use an iPhone. I tried AT&T last November and even though their coverage map said my location was "Best" I could not get a signal at all. I had to return the iPhone the next day.

Where I live the only option is Sprint and Verizon. I am with Sprint because its much cheaper.

 

[Surreal]

This is already possible. I don't think AT&T will sell it to you with no contract, but the Apple Store will. You can then activate your SIM Card on AT&T with any plan you wish and you can just claim that you have a non AT&T phone you've bought from overseas.

sorta true.

a computer checks what phone you are using every so often and if it is a smart phone, you get saddled with a mandatory data plan.

 

[GroundLoop]

I believe the issue with VZ is over price. I suspect Apple would demand more for a CDMA version due to the higher costs associated with development. However, I don't think this would be an issue if CDMA wasn't nearing EOL. With a limited potential market coupled with a very short time horizon, the number of CDMA devices sold wouldn't be large enough to recapture the development and testing expenses, etc on the front-end. I think Apple rather wait until LTE or at least until a dual GSM/CDMA baseband is cost-effective.

Why does everyone think that once LTE is available the CDMA will be turned off? It'll take at least 4 years for there to be enough LTE coverage to even consider LTE being the primary voice technology.

It has been mentioned before, CDMA needs to be here as a fallback for areas where LTE is not available. There is more than enough time to make up the investment in the design/development of a CDMA iPhone. Remember that most of the non-recurring expenses (NRE) for the iPhone were in the touch screen technologies/R&D and the OS. Very little of that needs to be changed for a CDMA iPhone. You just need to change the radio out, re-layout the PCB, do the testing, and get the certifications.

The only thing that has been holding a CDMA iPhone back is the exclusivity agreement in the US and the wi-fi issues in China.

Hickman

 

[Digital Skunk]

I would be very glad to see the EVO 4G and the iPhone on Sprint because it'll be easier to see how the EVO will put the iPhone to shame.

I hope OS4 makes the iPhone a smart purchase for Sprint customers too, otherwise Android will continue to push away from both Apple and Palm/HP.

On a side note, having the iPhone on Sprint's network will be the ONLY reason for Apple to name the next iPhone the iPhone 4G.

Why does everyone think that once LTE is available the CDMA will be turned off? It'll take at least 4 years for there to be enough LTE coverage to even consider LTE being the primary voice technology.

Hickman

Agreed, and many of those posters mentioning that are really very blind to what VZW and AT&T are saying about LTE. That 4G network just like Sprint's 4G network will be data only for the first few years, and users will have to rely on the previous tech to make voice calls . . . and to fall back on when 4G isn't available.

I hope these rumours are true. Being a Brit i am sick of hearing all these AT&T complaints, i mean if the service was really that bad, would Apple have chosen them in the first place?

I have no idea why you have to mention your nationality, but whatever.

Eitherway, yes, Apple chose a bad cell company to pair the iPhone with. Or should I say, a company with a bad network. VZW told them to shove it, and we all know that Sprint wasn't going to be the next choice out of the big three.

 

[macnchiefs]

Sign me up

If it's true the possibility of getting an iPhone AND paying around $30 less every month... it's a complete no brainer to get it from Sprint.

 

[GroundLoop]

Eitherway, yes, Apple chose a bad cell company to pair the iPhone with. Or should I say, a company with a bad network. VZW told them to shove it, and we all know that Sprint wasn't going to be the next choice out of the big three.

I still wouldn't say that Apple chose a bad company/network to team up with. Here in FL, the AT&T network is very solid and I have had no issues with voice or data. I am sure that there are other areas in the country that are just as smooth as my area. The issue is that AT&T's network has had problemsin the major metropolitan areas (NYC/LA/SF) and those users can be quite vociferous.

We can never be sure that, if Verizon got the iPhone, their network may have failed under the load as well. I think that the data load the iPhone introduced caught AT&T off-guard and it came back to bite them.

Before the iPhone, data consumption on smartphones was drastically lower per phone.

Hickman

 

[Digital Skunk]

I still wouldn't say that Apple chose a bad company/network to team up with. Here in FL, the AT&T network is very solid and I have had no issues with voice or data. I am sure that there are other areas in the country that are just as smooth as my area. The issue is that AT&T's network has had problemsin the major metropolitan areas (NYC/LA/SF) and those users can be quite vociferous.

We can never be sure that, if Verizon got the iPhone, their network may have failed under the load as well. I think that the data load the iPhone introduced caught AT&T off-guard and it came back to bite them.

Before the iPhone, data consumption on smartphones was drastically lower per phone.

Hickman

I agree, but I still take that info with a grain of salt. Verizon simply has a bigger network, which is why Apple went with them first. They didn't stop by Sprint because their network is paltry compared to Big Red.

But AT&T in the DelMarVa area sucks in the sticks and in the cities. I can see New Yorkers having an issue simply on size and height of buildings and network coverage, not here in humble old B-more.

 

[macnchiefs]

I agree, but I still take that info with a grain of salt. Verizon simply has a bigger network, which is why Apple went with them first. They didn't stop by Sprint because their network is paltry compared to Big Red.

But AT&T in the DelMarVa area sucks in the sticks and in the cities. I can see New Yorkers having an issue simply on size and height of buildings and network coverage, not here in humble old B-more.

No, they did stop by Sprint. Forsee(old CEO) talked to Jobs about it as Apple was going around to EVERY carrier pitching the iPhone. I think Sprint balked for the same reasons that Verizon did. I hate At&t for many reasons but i give them credit with the foresight to bank on the iPhone and change the game in many ways.

 

[kdarling]

Sure, an iPhone that did both CDMA and GSM would be technologically hard to pull off however I've heard that many phone manufacturers have made two versions of their phones to support the incompatible formats.

It's not hard at all. About half of Verizon's smartphones are dual mode CDMA + GSM, even having HSPA on the UMTS side.

Ironically, since Verizon will unlock the GSM side, a Verizon dual mode phone actually makes more economic sense being used overseas than an ATT iPhone.

 

[DakotaGuy]

I'm excited to see the iPhone branch out to other carriers.

But then again, the more I think about it, the more I don't like the idea.

I feel the iPhone still has the unique, fresh feel to it.
When all major carriers get it, it's going to go from "You have an iPhone, sweet! let me see it!" to "Shocking, you have an iPhone too" and they're going to be littered everywhere.

Anyone else feel this way?

Sorry to burst your bubble but the iPhone is no longer unique or fresh. It was unique and fresh when it came out, but it is a household name now. Everyone either has one or knows someone who has one. Apple has two choices. Either remain AT&T exclusive and let Android take over the U.S. smartphone market or open to more carriers. If Apple continues to leave the door open Android will continue to expand and grow at a record pace. In time, the developers will follow the money path and the iPhone will fall further behind.

I am very happy with my Android phone, but I would like to see the iPhone available on more carriers. Increased competition is good for everyone. With that said I really don't think you have anything to worry about just yet. I don't see a CDMA iPhone coming this year, but as I always say, especially when it comes to Apple, never say never. At one time I never thought Apple would go x86 and we see where that went.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

No, they did stop by Sprint. Forsee(old CEO) talked to Jobs about it as Apple was going around to EVERY carrier pitching the iPhone. I think Sprint balked for the same reasons that Verizon did. I hate At&t for many reasons but i give them credit with the foresight to bank on the iPhone and change the game in many ways.

Actually, give Cingular credit here. The deal was made with Cingular- not AT&T. Then, AT&T bought Cingular and ended up with the iPhone deal. I would credit Cingular management for the foresight to do the deal. Or perhaps they were desperate in case they didn't get a company sale? Or perhaps they realized that locking up a multi-year exclusive with Apple would help motivate the big boys to do a bigger buyout?

AT&T ended up with the iPhone exclusive as a byproduct of some regional bells getting to re-consolidate back toward a dominant player in both local and long distance service. If I recall correctly, it was SBC buying/merging with BellSouth, and deciding to use the more mainstream (AT&T) brand for the newly merged company. Cingular was just another buy that happened to get them the iPhone exclusive.

 

[marcfogel]

Agreed. I heard a best buy employee telling a customer that the iPad data plan was $60 a month and it was a 2 year contract. I just had to step in and correct him. Then later on the lady who he was talking to came up to me for more advice.

Best Buy can be rough. I overheard a salesperson explaining the difference between a Nikon DSLR and a Nikon compact super-zoom. He said the only difference was physical size.

 

[marcfogel]

Sorry to burst your bubble but the iPhone is no longer unique or fresh. It was unique and fresh when it came out, but it is a household name now. Everyone either has one or knows someone who has one. Apple has two choices. Either remain AT&T exclusive and let Android take over the U.S. smartphone market or open to more carriers. If Apple continues to leave the door open Android will continue to expand and grow at a record pace. In time, the developers will follow the money path and the iPhone will fall further behind.

I am very happy with my Android phone, but I would like to see the iPhone available on more carriers. Increased competition is good for everyone. With that said I really don't think you have anything to worry about just yet. I don't see a CDMA iPhone coming this year, but as I always say, especially when it comes to Apple, never say never. At one time I never thought Apple would go x86 and we see where that went.

Agreed. I was thinking back when Verizon turned down the iPhone or Apple said no way to Verizon and everyone thought Verizon made a terrible mistake and heads would roll. Looking back, it was the best move for consumers that this happened. I am not so sure Android would have done as well on AT&T.

Competition is good!

 

[rwilliams]

I'm excited to see the iPhone branch out to other carriers.

But then again, the more I think about it, the more I don't like the idea.

I feel the iPhone still has the unique, fresh feel to it.
When all major carriers get it, it's going to go from "You have an iPhone, sweet! let me see it!" to "Shocking, you have an iPhone too" and they're going to be littered everywhere.

Anyone else feel this way?

No, because it's a damn phone. Anyone who draws some sense of superiority or "coolness" from their phone is pretty childish and pathetic.

I am in the camp that does not believe Apple will mention other carriers when introducing the new iPhone. I believe there will be other carriers this year, but not until fall. It will be announced at the same time as the new iPod touch is announced and will be immediately available.

As I mentioned before, can you imagine how upset people who paid an ETF to switch to AT&T for the new iPhone are going to be if Apple waits until the fall to announce "by the way, the iPhone is now available on your old carrier"? Why would Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile allow Apple to delay such an announcement, thus giving their customers a chance to jump ship, if they already know that the phone is coming to their network? It makes no business sense. That's a lot of potential lost revenue for these carriers.

 

[tomegun]

As I mentioned before, can you imagine how upset people who paid an ETF to switch to AT&T for the new iPhone are going to be if Apple waits until the fall to announce "by the way, the iPhone is now available on your old carrier"? Why would Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile allow Apple to delay such an announcement, thus giving their customers a chance to jump ship, if they already know that the phone is coming to their network? It makes no business sense. That's a lot of potential lost revenue for these carriers.

I agree that is makes no business sense, but the deal with AT&T (Cingular) doesn't make business sense either. At the time it may have been the best option, but a contract with option years equaling 5 years would have been better than a 5 year contract.

I read somewhere - it is easy to forget where with so many rumors flying around - that the deal will end earlier than 5 years. Supposedly, Apple signed the deal with the iPad in exchange for ending the exclusive deal early.

I think it is very surprising that this exclusive deal with AT&T has been in effect this long. The wording of the contract or negotiations with AT&T must have kept Apple from putting the device on other carriers. I just can't imagine someone at Apple not knowing how much potential business they are losing out on. It is hard to quantify, but not having the 3G and 3GS on other carriers has undoubtedly cost them millions as well as allowed Android to become a player.

Screw leaked iPhone pictures, someone needs to leak more information about Apple's agreement with AT&T.

 

[Frobozz]

Awesome if true

I left Sprint for ATT when I got my iPhone 3G almost exactly 2 years ago now. I immediately experienced poor coverage and dropped calls that I never experienced with Sprint. In fact, I was very happy with my Sprint service for over 8 years prior to the iPhone.

This gives me a lot to think about if it comes true. ATT's service has substantially improved. I don't have the same issues I once had-- but I also like the idea of a 4G iPhone on Sprint.

 

[MCIowaRulz]

Apple, there are those of us on #5 U.S Cellular that need the iPhone as well

 

[SPNarwhal]

if the iphone was offered to cingular and att only got it by buying out cingular,
kindof makes you wonder if cingular regrets not hanging in there huh?
i'm sure the iphone would have saved any struggle that they were having.

 

[Mal]

OK, so Verizon's almost certain to get the iPhone, and Sprint's possibly going to get it as well… am I missing something? What about T-mobile! They already have a GSM network, though of course Apple would have to put a 1700MHz antenna in there, but that's trivial compared to a CDMA version. Why haven't there been any rumors of T-Mobile getting the iPhone?

I'm a T-Mobile customer, btw, so I'm especially interested in that possibility.

jW