Verizon CFO Reveals Next iPhone to Be a 'Global Device'

[MacRumors]

Qualcomm's "world-mode" MDM6600 wireless chip found in CDMA iPhone 4 and iPad 2
(Source: iFixit's Verizon iPhone teardown)
As noted by Barron's, Verizon Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo revealed during a conference call discussing the carrier's earnings announcement that Apple's next iPhone will be a "global device", presumably referring to a world-mode phone supporting both GSM and CDMA connectivity rather than having separate models for each network standard.

Verizon CFO Fran Shammo, asked about the sluggishness of the company's ARPU growth in Q1, when the iPhone was introduced - growth was just 2.2%, compared to 2.5% in Q4, remarked:

"The fluctuation, I believe, will come when a new device from Apple is launched, whenever that may be, and that we will be, on the first time, on equal footing with our competitors on a new phone hitting the market, which will also be a global device."

The existing CDMA iPhone 4 already carries a world-mode wireless chip from Qualcomm inside it, but the company presumably opted to build the device as CDMA-only in order to simplify the antenna construction. The iPad 2 carries the same wireless chip, but Apple still decided not to build a universal global device capable of operating on either standard.

But if Shammo's comment is correct, it appears that Apple may finally make the leap to a single design supporting both CDMA and GSM with the release of the fifth-generation iPhone rumored for introduction in September.

Article Link: Verizon CFO Reveals Next iPhone to Be a 'Global Device'

 

[douglaswilliams]

"Also..."

He said "also" - the CDMA iPhone is already a "global device" - it just doesn't have all it's radios operating. How is this even a news article? This is no secret.

 

[Thanatoast]

I hope this is true, particularly concerning the iPads. Having 18 different models to stock makes it a wee bit complicated to get the right balance.

 

[Evmanw]

Apple must be mad that they revealed this information

 

[Evmanw]

I hope this is true, particularly concerning the iPads. Having 18 different models to stock makes it a wee bit complicated to get the right balance.

yes it would only be 9, which is so much less confusing!

 

[profets]

He said "also" - the CDMA iPhone is already a "global device" - it just doesn't have all it's radios operating.

Exactly. Though for the iPhone and iPad one would imagine they'd like to simplify their SKUs and not have separate models for gsm and cdma.

 

[3goldens]

I will get one right away, lets see what Verizon is going to offer us in terms of discounts after a new purchase only 6 months earlier.

 

[profets]

yes it would only be 9, which is so much less confusing!

Actually it would still be 12 (like countries outside the US have anyway).

 

[GeekLawyer]

Well, that partnership with Verizon was fun while it lasted. /snark

 

[dethmaShine]

Apple must be mad that they revealed this information

Well actually no. It was quite understood already looking at the Qualcomm chipset which was identified just after the launch.

-deth

 

[emwgradstudent]

yes it would only be 9, which is so much less confusing!

Actually, there would still be 12. 6 WiFi models and 6 cell models.

I think this would be a smart move by Apple. Would love to see the iPhone on Sprint!

 

[URFloorMatt]

He said "also" - the CDMA iPhone is already a "global device" - it just doesn't have all it's radios operating. How is this even a news article? This is no secret.

I believe the also refers to the fact that for the first time they will get an iPhone that is both released simultaneously on all carriers and also a global device. In other words, two of the weaknesses contributing to lower adoption of the Verizon iPhone 4 will have been removed.

 

[Evmanw]

Actually it would still be 12 (like countries outside the US have anyway).

oops

 

[bobbytallant]

[url=https://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogodarkd.png]Image[/url]

But if Shammo's comment is correct, it appears that Apple may finally make the leap to a single design supporting both CDMA and GSM with the release of the fifth-generation iPhone rumored for introduction in September.

Article Link: Verizon CFO Reveals Next iPhone to Be a 'Global Device'

Whats really surprising is how a killer whale can comment on this.

 

[SeattleMoose]

THAT Would Be Huge!!!!

I never really considered buying an iPhone until I heard this.....if true, I'm in.

If not my 2005 flip phone ain't busted.....

 

[shartypants]

Very nice, better for Apple as well, only one line of phones to stock.

 

[Tones2]

Yeah, let's just keep repeating the same predictions over and over.

Guess what, the iPhone 5 is also prediced to not come out until September! Shocking isn't it?

Tony

 

[JohnDoe98]

This makes little sense. If the chip really was global, why would Apple sell two models of the ipad 2 3G? It seems the ATT version could be enabled to work on the Verizon network... It seems anyone buying the Verizon edition is getting scammed...

 

[DiamondGCoupe]

Let's be honest he knows nothing. No way Verizon is coming out with a new iPhone version this soon after millions just signed 2-year contracts. That's not smart on any level many will be pissed.

 

[jav6454]

Verizon worked so hard to get the iPhone. Now some idiot will ruin it for them. Stay classy Verizon.

 

[MacGeek1993]

My Thunderbolt is soon going to be a world-enabled phone.

And it's better than the crappy iPhone.

 

[Thunderhawks]

Yeah, let's just keep repeating the same predictions over and over.

Guess what, the iPhone 5 is also predicted to some not come out until September! Shocking isn't it?

Tony

Yes, that news is DUH!

Also, I think it will be available in white.

 

[osofast240sx]

My Thunderbolt is soon going to be a world-enabled phone.

And it's better than the crappy iPhone.

 

[Thunderhawks]

My Thunderbolt is soon going to be a world-enabled phone.

And it's better than the crappy iPhone.

You forgot :

nyaah, nyaaah, nay nyaayah.

Can you please give your dad his computer back?

Little kids shouldn't be on adult forums.

 

[scott523]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8H7 Safari/6533.18.5)

I'll believe it when I see it. The rumors in the past month have been all over the place.