iPhone On Verizon Wireless Isn't A Sure Thing

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The rumors of the iPhone leaving AT&T in the United States have been going on since the device was first launched, but a recent Wall Street Journal article put the Apple flock into a frenzy over the ‘confirmed’ report that ‘people familiar with the situation’ had heard directly from Apple that they were producing an iPhone 4G for release on the Verizon Wireless’s CDMA network in the US. No so fast, some in the mobile phone industry say.

As for the WSJ article, as much as we love their “sources familiar with the situation” here at TFTS, the entire article was a bit dubious at best – or as website IntoMobile puts it, the article was “filled with words like ‘supposed to’ and ‘said to be’.”

As for the chances of a Verizon Wireless iPhone, several industry analysts are seriously doubting the device. Financial firm Credit Suisse told their investors not to “count on a Verizon iPhone for the holidays”, but did go on to say that you can expect on in 2011. Another respected firm, UBS, also said he doesn’t believe the iPhone will drop on Verizon this year. USB does expect a new iPhone model to arrive in June, but they don’t believe it’ll be on Verizon Wireless.

As for the CDMA iPhone hitting China, as reported by various sites, China’s unique CDMA network will probably make their iPhones incompatible with CDMA networks in the US – unfortunately for any hoping to import the gadget to use unlocked on a US network. It’s worth pointing out that the iPhone is offered on multiple carriers in most countries, save for it’s home country – the United States, where AT&T has enjoyed a four-year exclusivity contract.

While some notable blogs have reported that the iPad and its 3G AT&T contact is the “swan song” between AT&T and Apple – I honestly believe their relationship will continue. AT&T pays handsomely to be the only iPhone provider in the US and draws tons of data-heavy users to their networks. AT&T has been eager to please Cupertino, as evidenced by the heavily crippled Android devices they’ve offered on their network.