iPhone 4G: Verizon or AT&T or Both?

Everyone is waiting with bated breath for the launch of the new Apple iPhone 4G. And while everyone has their own idea on what the features are going to be, a major question in everyone’s mind is which network will Apple partner with this time around? Will it be AT&T or Verizon?

The online geek community is divided in its opinion on which network Apple is likely to partner with for its launch of iPhone 4G. The launch is likely to happen in July 2010, but rumor has it that it could be as early as Jan 2010.

While supporters of Verizon point out that the AT&T network is woefully inadequate to handle the data heavy applications offered by Apple, supporters of AT&T say that Apple already has a 5 year contract with the firm. Another point that is raised against Verizon is that they try to tweak the phone’s features and that is anathema for iPhone fans.

There are still others out there who feel that maybe Apple will launch its 4G iPhone on both AT&T and Verizon.

The case of Verizon is made stronger by the fact that Apple has apparently decided on a Qualcomm chip for the iPhone 4G. However Verizon continues its Apple bashing on its media ads and people interpret it in both ways. While some say that this is one reason why Apple will never partner with Verizon, others feel that maybe its because of this very reason that Apple is likely to join hands with Verizon.

We should also remember that Verizon was the first choice when Apple was trying to launch the iPhone initially and it seems that right now, Apple is not comfortable with the service offered by AT&T. This combined with the speculation that Apple is looking for CDMA and LTE technologies in their new iPhones, makes a good case for Verizon.

However AT&T is not going to remain silent if Apple chooses to partner with Verizon. The Apple iPhone has done quite a lot of good for AT&T’s business and they will not let someone else have a slice of the action that easily. In case Apple demands a better infrastructure in return for the iPhone4g, AT&T may just agree to do it. After all their contract expires in 2011 and they would definitely want to get it renewed.

The choice of a network is very crucial for Apple as it plays a major role in most consumer’s purchase decision. Today the market is really tough for Apple, what with Google coming up with NexusOne and Samsung announcing new models like the projector phone. Forget improving the market share, even to hold on to the current market share and not lose existing customers, Apple has to make the right decision about which network to partner. Let us hope that the marketing guys at Apple have done enough market research and that they will make the right choice. And till then I shall not hazard a guess. I would rather sit on the sidelines and wait for Apple’s announcement.