Is Verizon testing the iPhone 4G on its LTE network?

Is Verizon testing the iPhone 4G on its LTE network?

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Published on: 20 October, 2009 by PhoneArena Team

Is Verizon testing the iPhone 4G on its LTE network? This article contains unofficial information.

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The rumor that never dies is alive and well once again. According to tipsters who reported this story to fone frenzy, Verizon and Apple are testing a CDMA version of the iPhone on Big Red's 4G LTE network. The sources say that the iPhone is the first 4G phone being tested by the carrier over the LTE network it plans on introducing sometime next year. The testing has been going on for the last couple of months, according to the story.

Besides getting this inside info from some tipsters, the story also claims that when Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam visited Google recently to tie down the loose ends of the Verizon-Google Android deal, McAdam visited the Apple campus-only 8.5 miles away from Google's headquarters. But, you ask, hasn't Verizon alienated Apple with the current "I don't" ads for the upcoming Motorola Droid? The response is that those ads were developed by Motorola. The bottom line is that until Verizon and/or Apple actually make an announcement, any story claiming that the iPhone is heading to another carrier is just a rumor no matter how much sense it might make.

Apple iPhone 3GS Specifications | Review

source: fonefrenzy via MacTouchUser


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+1
1.
This is what I expect and have been telling people I expect from the day Apple launched the Iphone. The fact is though that Apple required total control over the handset. The only way that Verizon Does Business is if they are able to control the distribution and warranty process. Where Apple currently does this. Also they will not subsidize the cost of the Iphone to ATT just like ipods and all other products Apple creates. ATT is on the loosing end of this deal and have said so. It will be interesting to see, if a deal is reached, how this will effect all companies( Apple, ATT, Verizon). My betting money is on Verizon holding those 80 million subs over apples head and letting them know how that might help the bottom line. I feel that Verizon holds a majority of the negotiation power as well. If they have been able to keep churn as low as they have against the Iphone and showing an active interest in filling the gap for Iphone then they hold the power.
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12.
I thought what was in the works to happen with Iphone and Verizon now was that they were going to build an LTE/CDMA hybrid device that will be sold for full retail costs in Apple stores and online. Then the customer takes the handset to a VZW store or call in or goes through ITunes to activate it.

I don't think the Verizon sales reps that are on here care too much about the Iphone device itself, but just want the sales that come from it more than anything. I own the phone, and to me it's not that great. It's for sure not the Mesiah of cell phones no matter what some people might think. I just think they want the activation sales from it.

If this happens where people can buy at Apple stores and then walk into a location and activate. Don't you Verizon reps get paid for that activation? Maybe some can chime in? If so, then the people that work at VZW and work next to an Apple Store or work in a Verizon store in a Mall would love working there as they would get tons of people walking right out of that Apple store and right too their booths or stores.
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0
13.
yes, you get credit for activating a new line regardless of buying the phone in store or elsewhere. you get paid on contracts and new lines and upgrades and features/accessories, not on the device itself. its the same on all major carriers. yes, the iphone is old news and outdated as all heck now, but it has such a loyal following there will always be activations from it.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #12 ( Show )
-2
15.
I have heard this also before, because Verizon is not able to handle anything in stores and it's a loop hole through the exclusive with ATT.

They basically sell you an unbranded Apple CDMA/LTE device and it just so happens Verizon is the only person doing both those signals together. But this would leave it open to Sprint as well but just using the device for the CDMA portion and not the LTE.

I heard about this awhile ago as well. I'm curious to see if this is what does end up panning out. I totally forgot about this Sinful, thnx. I work for Sprint and I'm sick of hearing about the Iphone when we have bad ass handsets that do way more for less cost already. I don't get it. But I would so rock one if I could go buy it at full retail. I'm sure customers would too. Cause they have asked if they could go buy one at full price, but then have us activate it on our service.

That would be a win for Verizon and me at sprint. And a WIN for my paycheck!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #12 ( Show )
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21.
I've read that Apple never intended to make a CDMA version of the Iphone, due to it's relatively low global footprint (cdma that is)
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #12 ( Show )
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27.
Yeah, they said that a long time ago. But my wife works for Qualcomm, and they stole a bunch of the CDMA designers on her team to move up to San Francisco Area that now work for Apple. This happened about 8-9 months ago. So it made us curious when we were talking over dinner one night when we had someone watching the kids is to why they would steal a bunch of CDMA designers and pay them enough to jump ship. I think they lost 24 people total. I'll have to ask her again. But really made us go: humph?
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #21 ( Show )
-2
30.
Verizon corporate reps get paid for contracts. If you bring in a phone you already own and activate it, you should not sign a contract. The contract is the tradeoff for a discount on a handset. If you activate your own phone with no contract, the VZW rep gets some payout, but less than they would if you purchased a phone from them and therefore got a two year contract. However, VZW reps do get paid and ranked for data features, so even though they wouldn't be too happy that you weren't signing a contract on your phone, they would be more than happy to pop the required data feature on your account. Same with an upgrade. If you buy the phone full retail it isn't considered an upgrade because you aren't getting a discount and therefore aren't signing a contract. it would be an esn change with the addition of the data feature.

Indirect agents or dealers usually get paid only when they sell you a phone. If they activated you with no contract they may not even have a way to ring it up in their system, depending on what software they use. So they would really not be too happy about wasting their time helping you put your own phone on a new account or doing an esn change on an existing account. But again, they get measured and get a small payout for adding a data feature, so they would be happy to add that to your account for you.

The perfect unbranded iphone would be a new kind of trimode: unlocked quad band GSM with UMTS for world roaming, CDMA 1x plus EVDO revA for VZW's voice and data network, and LTE for high speed data. A handset with that many chips inside would:
1. be able to be activated on any major carrier worldwide (except Nextel/boost, or MetroPCS or cricket)
2. be very expensive (due to the number of chips and radios inside
3. probably have alot of issues

2. and 3. sound exactly like an iphone, so who knows, maybe it could happen.
However, apple is dead set agains unlocked iphones, as far as I know, so for something like that to happen they would really have to change their tune.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #12 ( Show )
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38.
thats totally incorrect. apple went to vzw first with a cdma version of the phone. verizon turned them down because apple was unproven and were demanding all sorts of special deals and extra compensation and verizon gives all the cell mfctrs the same deal, so they told apple to go to hell. ATT, so desperate to stay ahead of vzw took the deal and have been getting the shit end of the stick from apple ever since.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #21 ( Show )
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43.
I read the same thing on PhoneArena and also read a contradicting article the next week.

It sounds like this is likely false, Apple played with the idea and because they couldn't get the Verizon contract they opted to start with the GSM version.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #21 ( Show )
0
46.
That doesn't even make sense. LTE is one type of network, what point is it to have LTE/CDMA combined ? Why would you even blink at CDMA when you have LTE as the latest generation.
The IPhone is a worthless device; even for being so well known for its Apps, it can't even do that properly, since it won't run simultaneous apps. As for Ssjassassin's comments on 'what he expected', how do you know how Verizon does business? And what the dickens does that have to do with whether Apple and Verizon are in fact releasing an IPhone? It's so funny how people like this phone so much when even the most basic flip phone eats it for breakfast as far as capabilities. There is so much bigger and better out there, yet some people insist on playing with their IJunk while the rest of the world is already moving on.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #12 ( Show )
Reply to ssjassassin Hide 9 replies to this comment
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2.
Apparently this is NOT unofficial, even though it is a rumor?? :/
Reply to this comment
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3.
How can they be testing a CDMA iPhone on Verizon's 4G network which is LTE? I know that LTE will be backwards compatible, but why woudl Apple make a CDMA iPhone anyway if LTE is coming out? Shouldn't it say they're testing a LTE iPhone?

Just another example of PhoneArena's shoddy journalism.
+2
7.
LOL... you are kidding me right? VZW's whole network right now is CDMA... they are not goign to abandon all the CDMA when they go LTE... CDMA will exist for back-up data and voice on VZW's network and LTE will be for data only... At least that is what would make sense.
Reply to this comment
-2
14.
it would have to be a hybrid otherwise it would only work on LTE towers and 4g which is not going to be the full expanse of the network for quite some time. if it was limited to 4g only (which will be just cities) it would be like a very fast version of metropcs, ha.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #7 ( Show )
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18.
Well I flipping know that. But why it just be a CDMA iPhone? It didn't say anything about it being a CDMA/LTE iPhone.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #7 ( Show )
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44.
The article clearly states iPhone on 4G LTE network, obviously it's LTE and CDMA. It's ok, you can admit that you didn't really understand.

Look at AT&T, they have a 3g iPhone, it's still compatible with AT&T's non-3g network right... Haven't you seen the commercial showing AT&T's 3g map? All phones have multiple radio's in them; the iPhone should have CDMA, LTE, GPS, etc...
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #18 ( Show )
Reply to NMchileman Hide 4 replies to this comment
+2
4.
I guess since VZW still bought ALLTEL after the funny commercials ALLTEL made about VZW, that I wouldn't put it past APPLE to let VZW run it's device on the VZW network. I do hope tho that if this were to come to pass that all those iDonts are no longer true, otherwise it'd be a crow-eating fest.

That said ... I think this is one rumor that needs laid to rest, for everyone's sanity's sake. CDMA is not iPhone compatible, and last time I checked the LTE Consortium (or whatever they call themselves) agreed to route VOICE over the legacy CDMA network while using the actual 4G LTE network to handle the DATA load.

Yeah, something isn't quite right here.
-1
5.
I think that Alltel reference was really funny. They do need to let this rest as we wont be seeing anything tangible for some time. Your explanation for the use of 4G is right on as well. I do expect in the next 5 to 10 years though a trasition to VOIP services and the carriers will be our ISP's.
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Reply to rjt185 Hide 1 replies to this comment
-4
6.
Yesss Bravooo Verizon is the best carrier in the USA
-5
8.
not really, verizon is just a money stealing company. The only reason people go there is for the "cool phones" but there really isn't any.
Reply to this comment
+3
9.
Even if this is true after all of the negative talk of the iphone why do VZ customers and workers even care if the iphone come to VZ? For the last 3 years all you guys (VZ Fan boys) have been doing is beating it down and saying how crappy a phone it is.You guys have put on strong fronts against being jealous about the phone being the best on the market and agreeing that VZ dropped the ball on not agreeing to Apple's terms. The funny part is anytime there is a VZ iphone rumor its plastered in these blogs. Now normally that wouldn't matter but everyone knows this blog is dominated by VZ customers and VZ employee's. Part of me wants to see VZ finally get the iphone so I can read all of the same peope that bashed it writing about how much they now love it and I dot mean the people that bashed it only because it was on att's network. Let's face it, it is going to be the same phone with the same abilities and the only thing different is the VZ logo and 4G speed. Either way it is going to be a win win for Customers and Apple. Customers will have a choice and Apple will have another carrier to add to its ever growing customer base.. If people think Apple's finacial release today was huge wait tilll they have both VZ and ATT selling their phone. The future looks good
Reply to this comment
+2
11.
Maj, you should already know that kids in here aren't that objective. Put a Vzw logo on a rock, say that the rock has a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU, and watch them hump it like a horny dogs.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #9 ( Show )
-1
24.
I could care less if Verizon gets an iPhone. I would never buy one because its not as useful as other smart phones. The only difference will be the 4G capability and it will be the same phone released 3 years ago.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #11 ( Show )
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28.
I would agree. So too often you here VZW customers (becasue they don't have it) and sales reps (because they have to sell against it) bashing the Iphone. Any revived rumors about it coming to VZW would only stir up interest and push more people to ATT, where they can get the phone today. One thing that still bugs me about the whole CDMA thing, is the inability to do voice and data AT THE SAME TIME. This is one of the biggest convieniences of using the Iphone right now, I can shop online and carry on a conversation at the same time. I don't think LTE is going to give VZW customers that kind of flexibility, but maybe I'm wrong. We'll see.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #9 ( Show )
0
29.
I have only one response to this post: woof
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #11 ( Show )
-1
35.
ha!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #29 ( Show )
Reply to eddysson Hide 7 replies to this comment
+2
10.
Droid does what the iDon't, but the 'iDon't' is what Vzw wants... irony at its best. Now, of course we should be expecting apple's lil bugger to find a place on Vzw's shelves, its a given. I'm hoping this corresponds to at&t supposedly getting the Hero next year, because when la iPhone lands on another US carrier, at&t is going to have to broaden its horizon seeing how they won't be able to rely on an exclusive gold mine anymore.
-1
23.
The iPhone is probably the only reason people go to AT&T. I wouldnt see otherwise (unless AT&T had better service in a certain area).
Reply to this comment
0
25.
Did you see any Verizon branding on the commercial....NOOOOOOO!!!!! That is a motorola commercial and has nothing to do with Verizon besides that the phone will be on their network.
Reply to this comment
0
36.
this is true, but has Vzw come out against it, seeing how they're supposedly trying to get an apple product? But....aha, a lil competition between manufacturers on the same carrier might be good for that particular carrier if you think about it. As of now, I still see irony...
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #25 ( Show )
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42.
True. And don't forget the "there's a map for that" commerical that they made. But what I really think is ironic is how once again the iphone is the most popular article read on this site and probably has the most comments right now too. It's funny how the haters say that it is old news and outdated and such, but the the articles are always the most popular and have the most comments.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #36 ( Show )
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47.
People love to hate things. I personally would love to see the iPhone come to VZW. I'm not leaving a great network for a shitty one to have a cool phone. But as a dedicated Mac user, it would be nice to have something that syncs and works so seamlessly with my computer. The gripes I had with the iPhone are almost entirely gone with the update of OS 3.0, with the exception of no removable battery and now micro SD card slot. Those would be nice features to have but alas, will prolly never happen. Would still appreciate the ability to choose to have one with my current network.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #42 ( Show )
Reply to artz1986 Hide 5 replies to this comment
-1
16.
Apple will not any carrier branding on the iphone;a direct violation of v's business style
Reply to this comment
-1
17.
If the iPhone went LTE it doesn't mean that it will also go CDMA. LTE will most likely be strictly Data. This would leave the 4g iphone without voice if it was on verizon... Remember "One Phone One World"
Reply to this comment
-1
19.
well verizon is sure keeping busy with their phone production.
Reply to this comment
-1
20.
Well I hope so!! Then ATT can stop using the Iphone as their flaggship phone, and get a REAL high-end phone!!!
-1
22.
i agree with you man.
Reply to this comment
-1
37.
Technically, a phones technology doesn't necessarily make the phone 'high end'.
Reply to this comment
-1
39.
Huh? Whatch you talking bout
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #37 ( Show )
Reply to drewsky Hide 3 replies to this comment
  Total: 47 post(s)
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