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Apple, Verizon might make iPhone deal for 2010

The deal is far from done, and AT&T is expected to put up a fight, but you could finally have a choice of carriers when buying an iPhone next year.

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Mobile | by Samuel Axon | Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:39PM | 1 comment

Nothing's set in stone yet, but folks in the know told USA Today that Apple and Verizon are in talks to bring the iPhone to the Verizon Wireless cellular network. Apple signed an exclusivity deal with AT&T back in 2006, which is why you can't get an iPhone on any other network right now, but the deal runs out next year, so Verizon could start offering its own iPhone contracts sometime in 2010.

Apple and Verizon would have to re-engineer the iPhone because it's currently designed to use the GSM technology used by AT&T; Verizon uses a different standard, called CDMA. That means you won't be able to switch your current phone over. You'll have to buy a brand new one.

That news is probably a disappointment to some iPhone owners who have expressed frustration, saying that AT&T's coverage is spotty at best where they live. Conventional wisdom is that Verizon's 3G network is a bit more reliable, albeit slower.

We'll keep you posted if anything comes of this.

This story around the web:

Trusted sources:
external link Apple and Verizon consider iPhone deal -… [usatoday.com]
external link Techmeme: Apple and Verizon consider iPhone… [techmeme.com]
external link Apple, Verizon mulling iPhone deal for next… [Engadget]
external link Verizon in iPhone Deal Negotiations for 2010… [I4U News]
external link Verizon said to be pursuing Apple's… [blogs.computerworld.com]
external link USA Today: Apple and Verizon working on CDMA… [9to5mac.com]
external link AppleInsider | Apple and Verizon said in… [appleinsider.com]
external link Apple May Hear Verizon Now [techcrunch.com]
external link Apple and Verizon in iPhone Negotiations for… [macrumors.com]
external link Apple in Verizon negotiations: LTE iPhone in… [SlashGear]
external link Apple in talks to end iPhone exclusivity? [Electricpig.co.uk]
external link Apple and Verizon in serious talks for 2010… [Newlaunches.com]
external link Verizon Does Not Deny iPhone Talks [Alley Insider]
external link Apple and Verizon in iPhone Talks - PC World [pcworld.com]
external link Is the iPhone Coming to Verizon? [Switched]
external link Electronista | Apple, Verizon contemplating… [electronista.com]
external link Apple and Verizon said to be working on an… [Boy Genius Report]
external link Apple To Verizon: Can I Hear LTE Now? [GigaOM]
external link Apple in talks to bring iPhone to Verizon … [techvi.com]

Get more information on topics relating to this story:


Related company news:
Apple, Verizon Wireless, AT&T
Related glossary terms:
3G, Smartphone, GSM, CDMA
Related brand news:
Apple iPhone
Related devices and services:
Apple iPhone 3G

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