Nearing Zenith

Verizon iPhone Answers

As a follow-up to my last post, here’s a quick summary of the questions and available answers regarding the Verizon iPhone:

Any word about a Verizon 3G iPad?

Not from the official announcement event, but an interview with Verizon’s CFO confirmed the rumor that a CDMA iPad will be available to Verizon customers later this year. No official word on data plan pricing, though.

Will the iPhone 3GS be offered?

Nope, and it would have been a bad move for Verizon to offer this. Come to think of it, Apple would have had to redesign the iPhone 3GS (GSM to CDMA hardware conversion) to get the device onto Verizon’s network. That phone is already nearly two years old and due to be retired in a few months. In other words, it was never going to happen.

How will the next iPhone be addressed, if at all?

Verizon skirted the (awkward) issue, which will almost certainly help short term Verizon iPhone sales. When June rolls around and the new iPhone is out — and ready for those who waited — this decision may not look very smart. Expect a few upset Verizon customers in June, complaining that they’ve been deceived into getting “last year’s iPhone” and locked into a two year contract.

What’s the policy on iPhone upgrades?

The new smartphone upgrade policy seems to be “wait at least 20 months.” Since Apple cycles their iPhone line yearly, Verizon customers will probably not appreciate the long upgrade cycles. Cost cutting on Verizon’s part will certainly help their bottom line, but AT&T could win over more customer loyalty by keeping their more generous iPhone upgrade policy.

What are the pricing plans going to look like?

Basically the same as AT&T’s pricing plans. As predicted, no wireless plan price war will ensue. The more I think about it, though, the more I’m convinced that Verizon and AT&T should strive for better service features and not a cheaper pricing model. Let them make a healthy profit, but give us the best networks for our iPhones. Hey, I can hope!

Will Verizon charge for, or even allow, 3G tethering?

Oh, this is interesting: Verizon will allow the iPhone 4 to function as a mobile hotspot for up to 5 devices Not too shabby, but customers will probably have to pay extra for this function. AT&T will likely respond in kind.

How many Verizon customers really want an iPhone?

Need a bit more time to figure this one out…

How will having another iPhone wireless provider affect Android sales?

More time for this one, too…

Will the Verizon iPhone be branded by Verizon?

The meat of the Apple/Verizon deal was this very issue. Verizon gave in and so new Verizon iPhone customers will be treated to the same iPhone experience as all other Apple customers, worldwide. Either Verizon was really desperate for the iPhone, Verizon sees having the iPhone as a powerful weapon against the other US carriers, or Apple has agreed (for a few years, anyway) to keep the iPhone restricted to AT&T and Verizon.

So, no Earth-shattering announcements or bargain pricing models from Verizon, but it’s clear that the iPhone will lead this generation’s smartphone market for at least the next few years. If Verizon’s customers really want the iPhone, the iPhone’s marketshare could easily double in the next year or two.