iPhone for Verizon

[haven]

OK, I cried wolf last week when I wrote to say Verizon was about to offer an iPhone 3GS for $50. (actually, that was AT&T -- oops!)

Now sources like Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and the usual computer/phone blogs are saying that Verizon will announce the arrival of iPhone at a media event in NYC on 1/11/11. That's tomorrow.

A related development: On 1/11/11, Apple is planning to remove its 10% restocking fee for returned items. Returns are accepted up to 14 days after the purchase. That's just out of reach for people who got an AT&T iPhone at Christmas, so sorry!

Another tidbit: Reportedly, Verizon will offer an unlimited data plan for iPhone. Today, AT&T charges $25 for 2 GB of data per month, plus $10 for an additional 1 GB if you need it. Rumors are that Verizon will charge $30 for an unlimited data plan.

The iPhone on Verizon rumor got a boost when an AT&T official released a comment saying that iPhone users will find AT&T data network to be faster than Verizon's. That comment makes no sense unless the rumors of iPhone on Verizon are true.

It's worth mentioning that the iPhone offered on Verizon will probably not include a 4G model, even though Verizon has spent millions rolling out its LTE network upgrade.

Incidentally, Apple is planning to offer the iPhone 3GS for $49, starting today. You have to sign up for a 2 year AT&T contract to get it at that price. Maybe they will offer the same deal with Verizon after tomorrow.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/ho...phone?aid=AIC-WWW-NAUS-K2-BUYNOW-IPHONE-INDEX

 

[zigsrig]

Just announced...

iPhone 4 coming to Verizon :wings:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/11/live-from-verizons-iphone-event/?sort=newest&refresh=60

 

[Smksignals]

Devices will be made available to existing Verizon Wireless customers beginning February 3 – a week before the general population.

Customers who don’t currently own a wireless phone and those who want to move their existing mobile numbers from another carrier to the iPhone 4 on the Verizon Wireless network can purchase their new phone beginning Thursday, February 10.

 

[nwoods]

oh, and this:

Details from the question-and-answer session following the announcement include:

* Cook said Apple made changes to the iPhone 4's controversial antenna design to make the handset work with CDMA networks.
* Unlike AT&T, Verizon iPhone users can't be on the phone and use data at the same time (like talking and surfing the web).
* Apple chose not to go with LTE because it would require design changes, and Verizon said they wanted the iPhone now.
* The deal between Verizon and Apple is multi-year, and non-exclusive.

 

[Scott Brady]

I am somewhat of a neophyte regarding the networks, so can someone share how the Verizon model would work internationally. I know the Verizon is CDMA, which is rare outside of the US. Currently, my ATT iPhone works like magic while traveling, but makes me want to shove the phone into my skull in the US, as I cannot stay connected, sometimes even in big cities.

Are the thoughts that the Verizon iPhone will be multi-band and work well internationally?

I am currently without a contract, and have the opportunity to switch.

 

[nwoods]

I am somewhat of a neophyte regarding the networks, so can someone share how the Verizon model would work internationally. I know the Verizon is CDMA, which is rare outside of the US. Currently, my ATT iPhone works like magic while traveling, but makes me want to shove the phone into my skull in the US, as I cannot stay connected, sometimes even in big cities.

Are the thoughts that the Verizon iPhone will be multi-band and work well internationally?

I am currently without a contract, and have the opportunity to switch.

Scott, I have only heard speculation that the Verizon iPhone is dual mode, capable to run on CDMA and GSM. If that is true, then you could take it anywhere I think. Not sure how the SIM card thing would work. Currently, the GSM phone uses a SIM card, and if you went to say, Uganda, you could purchase a local SIM from Orange (AT&T partner network) and just use local rates (note, Uganda is pretty much all Edge (2G) speeds).

I searched Apple's FAQ and iPhone details page, but it doesn't confirm anything, and Verizon's FAQ server is getting slammed and is non-responsive (how's that for Robust!). Until it's confirmed, don't make any changes yet. Also, the Confirmed lack of ability to talk and use data at the same time is pretty bad. In Prescott you don't have 3G yet on your iPhone, but once you have it, you just can't go back. Anything else feels like carving tablets in stone comparatively. When I visited Prescott this past summer, I went through major 3G withdraws

 

[nwoods]

Update: I finally got through to Verizon's FAQ page (albeit very slowly!), and FAQ #12 says:

12. Can I use my iPhone 4 while traveling abroad?

Yes, customers can use iPhone for voice and text in over 40 countries with data service in over 20 countries. For service availability and rate information, visit International Roaming Rates and Coverage. When travelling [sic] outside of these 40 destinations, the Global Travel program is the perfect short-term solution for the occasional or infrequent global traveler who needs to stay in touch when travelling [sic] internationally.

Here are the links:
Global Travel Program: http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Global_Travel/index.html

International Roaming & Coverage: http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Roaming/rates_coverage.html

Summary: These links point to GSM phones you can borrow, or a few countries that have a CDMA network.
Analysis: No, the ViPhone is NOT both GSM and CDMA. I think. Travelers beware.

Oh yeah, that 5 device hotspot works great, until you get a phone call ;-)

 

[Scott Brady]

Summary: These links point to GSM phones you can borrow, or a few countries that have a CDMA network.
Analysis: No, the ViPhone is NOT both GSM and CDMA. I think. Travelers beware.

Yeah, only 40 countries would point to CDMA only - that is a fail for me.

 

[haven]

If you prefer the Verizon network to AT&T and others, it might be worth waiting a couple of months for their 4G phones and tablets. The list includes 4 smart phones, two tablets, two laptops and two mobile hotspots.

http://news.vzw.com/news/2011/01/pr2011-01-06n.html

Verizon offers 4G service based on LTE technology in 38 metropolitan areas and 60 commercial airports today. They have plans to add LTE to an additional 50 smaller markets in 2011.

 

[bunduguy]

Though AT&T works in many other countries, it's not all roses. eg. they do not have a reciprocal agreement with any carriers in South Africa, where I travel to. So my last trip cost me a cool $450 in data usage! I was only there for 1 week!

It's a lot smoother (read cheaper)in Europe.

 

[Smksignals]

I am somewhat of a neophyte regarding the networks, so can someone share how the Verizon model would work internationally. I know the Verizon is CDMA, which is rare outside of the US. Currently, my ATT iPhone works like magic while traveling, but makes me want to shove the phone into my skull in the US, as I cannot stay connected, sometimes even in big cities.

Are the thoughts that the Verizon iPhone will be multi-band and work well internationally?

I am currently without a contract, and have the opportunity to switch.

It will only work in CDMA markets, like Mexico and Puerto Rico , it will not work in any GSM countries like Japan, China, or Korea. Verizon will have full international roaming capabilities with the release for the G4 I phone.

 

[nwoods]

Yeah, only 40 countries would point to CDMA only - that is a fail for me.

Well, Qualcomm is rumored to have developed or atleast working on a dual platform chip. It makes a LOT of sense from a MFR'ing point of view to make the iPhone 5 in one universal flavor. I'll bet that we can expect to see something along those lines come June when the fifth gen is announced.... And maybe it will be LTE capable as well!

 

[uli2000]

Well, Qualcomm is rumored to have developed or atleast working on a dual platform chip. It makes a LOT of sense from a MFR'ing point of view to make the iPhone 5 in one universal flavor. I'll bet that we can expect to see something along those lines come June when the fifth gen is announced.... And maybe it will be LTE capable as well!

Qualcomm already has a CDMA/GSM/UTMS/GPS chipset avalible for laptops (Gobi 2000). The problem I have heard is currently the handoff from LTE to/from another network type, it currently is just dropping calls. Of course, this was 6 or 7 months ago, so that may not be an issue anymore (when Verizon was testing LTE in Boston).

 

[haven]

Verizon Wireless will offer an unlimited data plan for the iPhone. Price is $30 a month. That's good news if you regularly stream video to your phone, or plan to use Apple's Facetime video calling feature frequently.

AT&T started out offering an iPhone data plan that had no limit, but currently the top plan is $25 a month, capped at 2GB. So it's possible that Verizon will use the unlimited plan to attract customers, and later introduce a data cap.

 

[haven]

Here's a pretty good article summarizing the strengths and weaknesses of iPhone on Verizon Wireless.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/technology/personaltech/03pogue.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

Verizon's major advantage: Far fewer dropped calls.

Verizon's major disadvantage: Verizon's CDMA technology works in few places outside USA. AT&T's GSM technology is close to ubiquitous.

My concern about buying an iPhone 4 from either company is that all the major carriers will be introducing 4G phones in the next few months. 4G offers data services at considerably higher speeds. The trick is to find a phone that uses 4G where available, but switches to 3G when away from major metropolitan areas. It will take several years before the wireless carriers offer 4G everywhere they have service.

Rumor has it that the new iPhone 5, coming this Summer, will be equipped with a radio chip that will work with both Verizon 4G (LTE) and AT&T 4G (HSPA+) networks. That would be a world phone, indeed!