Verizon CEO Reveals That He Has Asked Apple for iPhone Rights

[ProwlingTiger]

Oh, so let me get this right. Apple asks Verizon about forming a partnership. Verizon says screw off, you're not getting all that control. Apple goes with AT&T and the iPhone is a HUGE success. Now Verizon goes to Apple wanting to carry the iPhone. HA!

 

[Mike2128]

People who think Verizon didn't lock things down and rule the software (and hardware functionality) on their devices with an iron fist before the iPhone on AT&T forced them to change their ways clearly do not know Verizon at all.

They did. They don't now. People are still making the argument that Verizon will restrict an Apple device in 2010 and that just isn't true.

What if iPhone OS 4 allows multi tasking, then it should'nt matter what network (GSM vs CDMA) it is on? Or would you still not be able to take a call, and use the Internet at the same time? I thought the lack of 3rd party multi tasking was the reason it could not due both on the CDMA network, and not the chip?

Not true. Multi-tasking has nothing to do with it.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

I doubt apple would let their phone be subject to a network that can't do voice and data at the same time. Just look at the iPhone commercials always demonstrating it.

It would be a deal breaker for me. These days when I'm using the phone feature it tends to be because someone wants to discuss an email they just sent me, or someone's trying to make plans for a movie or restaurant or something. "I'll hang up and call you back" just isn't acceptable anymore.

 

[ParisParamus]

Forgive me if this is slightly OT, but one of the secondary reasons I don't want an iPhone until it's a Verizon iPhone is that I remember my former girlfriend's AT&T phone having awful sound quality; is that also a NYC Manhattan phenomenon; AT&T restricting bandwidth to get more calls/cell tower, or do Verizon calls simply sound better than AT&T's everywhere?

 

[ozzyman500]

Since much of the middle of the country STILL can't get an iPhone because AT&T does not provide service, this is welcome news indeed.

Just get an iPod Touch and deal with it.

On the other hand, I'm happy on AT&T and have no plans of leaving.

 

[icyfire]

I still have to do some research on this but is CDMA out the door when LTE comes out? I mean obviously CDMA technology and the CDMA network will be around for many years for those who haven't made the switch to an LTE device, but is CDMA dying or is LTE built on CDMA?

CDMA will still be used for voice and LTE will be used for data. LTE isn't built on CDMA nor GSM, it is a completely separate technology. CDMA isn't dying, it will simply be phased out (probably in another 10 years or so). Thankfully, most of the major wireless providers in the world have decided to go with LTE so we will have a universal 4G mobile standard.

 

[ten-oak-druid]

I hate the cell phone industry.

I should be able to easily purchase an unlocked phone and select any provider I wish. And the phone should not be locked by the provider I choose.

Yes I know this will cost more money but I should have this option. And yes I know it is possible to purchase unlocked phones but it isn't as easy as walking into a store and asking for one. You have to search on-line and order them from abroad. And I've heard stories of people having their phones locked remotely after setting up service.

Because of all this crap, I refuse to get a new phone. I butchered one phone for parts to keep mine going. I've been out of contract for years and I like it that way. They allow me to continue with the same great plan you can't get today.

Years ago I never had a phone. I wish I had never gotten one. Now I'm used to it and it's hard to go back. I don't want to get used to web access now. I'd like to walk down the street and look around at the scenery, not a web page.

Oh and forget starting a conversation with the pretty girls you pass on the street. They are too busy ignoring the world around them while texting or talking on the phone. This is definitely not progress.

 

[zombitronic]

Errr, if there's ONE example of things being locked down it's the iPhone and its store. I doubt Apple was an inspiration to loosen up control. Android, on the other hand...

This argument has been ricocheting around forums for quite some time but I've yet to read a truly compelling argument against it. I don't deny that there aren't some features that would be sweet if Apple allowed access to certain elements of the SDK, but I don't feel like the App Store is hindering innovation as much as detractors would have you believe. iPhone/iPod/iPad sales only confirm the lack of outrage and self-implied captivity.

 

[creamandchives]

No, CDMA will be around for at least 20 years, at least in some capacity. An LTE device would most likely have to be backwards compatible for at least most of that.

LTE hails from the camp of GSM/UMTS/HSPA primarily. CDMA is Verizon's biggest problem, I come from another part of the world (down under) where both Telstra and Telecom NZ have now replaced 100% of their CDMA networks with new UMTS networks and i'm sure this trend is everywhere. The market for CDMA handsets is shrinking fast, so Apple would be doing a massive favour (and increasing their own costs hugely) to do a CDMA phone just for Verizon (especially hard to imagine when they are so obviously paired up with AT=T)...

In other news Verizon is one of the carriers at the forefront of LTE trials, so maybe they will be the first with a real network.

Unfortunately there is currently NO standard for LTE Voice or LTE backwards compatibility, that will probably take another 2 years to sort out, so unless Verizon buys a nice affordable UMTS/HSPA network in the shorter term it will be a long wait...

 

[Papajohn56]

It's already been proven that Verizon's 3G speeds are slower than AT&T's, plus no talk and data at the same time ..

no thanks. If they do get the iPhone I'd stick with AT&T.

I'd rather take a slightly slower 3G in more places, than EDGE in the same locations and *maybe* 3G if you're lucky (but not in NY or SF! It can't handle the iPhone in those cities!). No talk and data, don't care, but it will happen on Verizon with LTE coming.

 

[cvaldes]

Well I'm confused... if iPhone does come to Verizon should I stick with AT&T or go on to Verizon?
I have heard good and bad rumors about Verizon and sometimes I lose coverage with AT&T.
What do you iPhone techy people think?
Thanks!

Short answer: it depends.

Longer answer: most people want reliable network coverage in a few specific places (their home, place of work, school, etc.).

If you travel a lot, particularly for business, you might want a network that performs acceptably wherever you go. If that includes international destinations, you will need to think how your phone's compatibility with the local cellular networks.

Verizon uses the CDMA technology which is not widely deployed beyond the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. Thus, most Verizon phones are useless when traveling abroad (there are a few "worldmode" phones that work with varying degrees of success in non-CDMA countries).

It's important to note that in the last Consumer Reports survey of U.S. mobile operators, none of them were good. Verizon ended up on top by a slim margin that was barely above the threshold of statistical significance. Basically, Verizon is a 37" giant in a land of three-foot midgets.

I'd love to get an iPhone, but I get zero reception on the AT&T network at home. Nothing. Would I buy a Verizon iPhone? Probably not. I still want a cellphone that works overseas. Thus, I am stuck waiting for the iPhone to arrive on T-Mobile (their signal is strong at home) or hoping that some day AT&T will place a cell tower closer to where I live. Who knows, maybe someone on the other side of my town has the opposite experience: AT&T is great and get zero bars with T-Mobile.

So really, it's up to you to assess network quality in the places you frequent the most and understand which one provides the best value. Then you have to think whether or not the functionality of any given handset (iPhone or other) is enough to justify the level of service offered by the carrier in question. If you move or change jobs, it's likely that you'll see some change in cellular reception quality with your existing carrier. Better or worse? You'll never know until it happens.

It's a value assessment that you will have to make yourself. As a matter of fact, you really wouldn't want anyone else to decide for you.

 

[icyfire]

Just get an iPod Touch and deal with it.

On the other hand, I'm happy on AT&T and have no plans of leaving.

Except for the fact that the iPod touch cannot access a 3G network for mobile use. Which is kind of the reason that people want the iphone in the first place.

 

[bergmef]

This argument has been ricocheting around forums for quite some time but I've yet to read a truly compelling argument against it. I don't deny that there aren't some features that would be sweet if Apple allowed access to certain elements of the SDK, but I don't feel like the App Store is hindering innovation as much as detractors would have you believe. iPhone/iPod/iPad sales only confirm the lack of outrage and self-implied captivity.

They need to put the tethering app back in the store. I still see no reason for apple not to allow it.

 

[RawBert]

I have a feeling this is one of those "controlled leaks" from Apple.

 

[xraytech]

This is good for everyone, well sorta.

Unsatisfied AT&T subscribers finally get their wish and move over to Verison.

Satisfied AT&T subscribers get a network with more breathing room.

And those who drew the short straw. Long time Verison subscribers realize their network is now overloaded with former AT&T subscribers.

 

[miles01110]

I have a feeling this is one of those "controlled leaks" from Apple.

I'm guessing not. From the article...

In remarks Tuesday before the Council on Foreign Relations...

 

[Papajohn56]

LTE hails from the camp of GSM/UMTS/HSPA primarily. CDMA is Verizon's biggest problem, I come from another part of the world (down under) where both Telstra and Telecom NZ have now replaced 100% of their CDMA networks with new UMTS networks and i'm sure this trend is everywhere. The market for CDMA handsets is shrinking fast, so Apple would be doing a massive favour (and increasing their own costs hugely) to do a CDMA phone just for Verizon (especially hard to imagine when they are so obviously paired up with AT=T)...

In other news Verizon is one of the carriers at the forefront of LTE trials, so maybe they will be the first with a real network.

Unfortunately there is currently NO standard for LTE Voice or LTE backwards compatibility, that will probably take another 2 years to sort out, so unless Verizon buys a nice affordable UMTS/HSPA network in the shorter term it will be a long wait...

Verizon's research and engineering team have said that CDMA phones on the current network will work on the LTE network, so backwards compatibility. GSM phones from other networks will also be compatible with the new LTE network.

It's sad too, because CDMA is the superior technology to GSM in terms of encryption, building penetration, and more. Also it's not just Verizon in the US using CDMA. Alltel (non-divested alltel), and Sprint.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

They need to put the tethering app back in the store. I still see no reason for apple not to allow it.

The feature is already built into iPhone OS (very nicely implemented, too) and has been for a long time. It's just been disabled at the request of AT&T. So I'm not surprised Apple wouldn't allow a third party tethering app.

 

[icyfire]

I have a feeling this is one of those "controlled leaks" from Apple.

Yep, especially after that WSJ article I think that Apple is trying to draw attention away from Android in the run up to this summer's iPhone release. There is no way that WSJ would put a passing rumor smack dab in the middle of their front page. Apple's is probably worried that too many people will be locked into 2 year contracts when the Evo and Incredible come out leaving them will less potential customers to eat up the iPhone when it comes out on Verizon. Apple would be foolish of making the same mistake that Nokia made by taking the mobile market for granted.

 

[bergmef]

The feature is already built into iPhone OS (very nicely implemented, too) and has been for a long time. It's just been disabled at the request of AT&T. So I'm not surprised Apple wouldn't allow a third party tethering app.

That's the point, fire it up. Other phones on ATT have it, why not. You'll find the spots that need fixing real quick.

 

[ruinfx]

The fact that Seidenberg specifically asked for the iPhone leads me to believe that Apple is not actively working on a CDMA-based iPhone.

Apple's partners usually become very uncommunicative when there's a deal in the works.

Personally, I'd rather see iPhone come to T-Mobile USA. Granted, T-Mobile has about one-third the number of subscribers as Verizon, however adding the AWS band to the iPhone shouldn't be such a big engineering challenge.

i have to agree with this. if a verizon iphone was already being produced, i doubt the ceo of verizon would be making these comments.

and to all the people arguing over simultaneous voice and data, the real part that matters is that apple uses it in their commercials to bash verizon.

 

[satcomer]

The fact that Seidenberg specifically asked for the iPhone leads me to believe that Apple is not actively working on a CDMA-based iPhone.

Apple's partners usually become very uncommunicative when there's a deal in the works.

I believe this also. Plus Apple never goes backwards and IF they ever go with Verizon then it will be because of 4G, not CDMA.

 

[Diode]

1) Verizon is notorious for it's proprietary applications on its network. Crappy one's too.

It would be a huge coup if Apple said, "Sure, but you have to open up the network to work and allow all of the iPhone functionality (and possibly other functionality in v4.0), like visual Voice Mail and Safari and Maps and etc.

Which I doubt Verizon will ever do.

You realize the Droid is completely open right? Verizon used to be that way but have since changed.

They don't load all their phones with crap anymore ... just some of them.

 

[bergmef]

Verizon's research and engineering team have said that CDMA phones on the current network will work on the LTE network, so backwards compatibility. GSM phones from other networks will also be compatible with the new LTE network.

It's sad too, because CDMA is the superior technology to GSM in terms of encryption, building penetration, and more. Also it's not just Verizon in the US using CDMA. Alltel (non-divested alltel), and Sprint.

So true, unfortunately the better tech doesn't always win. Look at at windows vs os x

 

[splashnader]

i have to agree with this. if a verizon iphone was already being produced, i doubt the ceo of verizon would be making these comments.

and to all the people arguing over simultaneous voice and data, the real part that matters is that apple uses it in their commercials to bash verizon.

I agree. I think all these rumors are starting to conflict with each other. I mean first we here that Apple is working on two new iphone's this year, one that would be compatible with the Verizon network, and now we hear that Verizon's CEO is still actively trying to convince Apple CEO Steve Jobs that they want the iphone. Who knows what to believe. Maybe this is all smoke and mirrors or it could be made public tomorrow. I guess we will have to wait and see.