AT&T’s exclusive hold on the iPhone may not last forever, despite Verizon’s launch of the Motorola Droid, yet another product itself being described as some form of Apple product killer (we’ve seen so many pass by before).
Now, Broadpoint AmTech analyst Brian Marshall expects Apple will reach an iPhone deal with Verizon next year. "While Apple started off with exclusive arrangements in 2007 with the original iPhone launch, the company has since migrated towards multiple carriers per region," the analyst wrote, as reported by MacObserver.
"In our view, diverse carrier support is a key element to driving global penetration of the iPhone. Therefore, we believe the chances are high the iPhone will find its way onto the Verizon network in the second half of 2010."
This follows comment from Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg earlier this week when he said the carrier would be interested in carrying the iPhone, but that, “This is a decision that is exclusively in Apple’s court.”
He also said, “We obviously would be interested at any point in the future 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 were told last week that Apple is already testing some form of future iPhone-class device on Verizon’s 4G network. “Tests have been taking place for the last couple of months,” the report said.
Comments
O2 & Orange in UK
We have just had this happen in the UK, O2 had the exclusive rights to the iPhone for 2 years but now Orange has shared rights (although O2 have now got exclusive rights to the Palm Pre, so they are sitting pretty) but the price of plans for the iPhone are set to fall dramatically and I would expect the same thing in the US when Verizon get their hands on it.
http://www.gimmeitfree.co.uk
"...the company has since
"...the company has since migrated towards multiple carriers per region"
Yeah, but they were all GSM carriers (unlike the case with Verizon). Now if Apple agrees to alter its hardware to remove the wifi chip for the chinese customers, then I see Verizon carrying the iPhone plausible (by swapping the GSM chip with a CDMA)
Doh! Comment was included under wrong article. Sorry!
It is a no brainer for Apple to add Verizon and anyone else. Remember what happened to the ipod/itunes when it allowed windows pcs to work with the ipod?
Exclusivity caused me to use Android
I have an app to be used by service companies across the US. it's developed on the Iphone, but i am being forced to re-develop the app to also run on Android. If there was not an ATT exclusivity, I would not have made the move. Who knows I may like Android better, but from now on, will develop on both platforms.
Exclusivity was the chink in Iphones armor!
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