Non-exclusive Apple-Verizon deal could allow iPhone on Sprint, T-Mobile
Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook revealed on Tuesday that his company's agreement with Verizon for the CDMA iPhone is non-exclusive, meaning the new handset could also appear on Sprint's CDMA network.
When asked if the new CDMA iPhone is exclusive to Verizon, Cook called the deal "multi-year" and "non-exclusive." That means the other major CDMA carrier in the U.S., Sprint, could also offer Apple's smartphone, if it were to reach a deal with Apple.
Of course, the non-exclusive deal also leaves open the possibility of a future GSM iPhone offering compatibility with the fourth-largest carrier in the U.S., T-Mobile.
T-Mobile's U.S. network relies on different frequencies in the AWS 3G spectrum, supporting the 1700MHz and 2100MHz bands, while AT&T supports 850MHz and 1900MHz. The current iPhone hardware does not support the 1700MHz frequency, meaning a modification of the hardware would be necessary.
Another possibility could be regional wireless provider MetroPCS, the fifth-largest carrier in the U.S. Like Verizon and Sprint, it too operates a CDMA network.
Prior to Tuesday's news, some had speculated that Verizon could pay Apple extra in their deal to keep the iPhone away from other carriers like T-Mobile and Sprint, leaving Apple's smartphone only available from AT&T ant Verizon.
Outside of the U.S., the new CDMA iPhone will likely also allow Apple to make the iPhone available on other carriers like China Telecom. Last October, it was rumored that Apple and China Telecom were already in talks to offer a CDMA variant of the iPhone.
When asked if the new CDMA iPhone is exclusive to Verizon, Cook called the deal "multi-year" and "non-exclusive." That means the other major CDMA carrier in the U.S., Sprint, could also offer Apple's smartphone, if it were to reach a deal with Apple.
Of course, the non-exclusive deal also leaves open the possibility of a future GSM iPhone offering compatibility with the fourth-largest carrier in the U.S., T-Mobile.
T-Mobile's U.S. network relies on different frequencies in the AWS 3G spectrum, supporting the 1700MHz and 2100MHz bands, while AT&T supports 850MHz and 1900MHz. The current iPhone hardware does not support the 1700MHz frequency, meaning a modification of the hardware would be necessary.
Another possibility could be regional wireless provider MetroPCS, the fifth-largest carrier in the U.S. Like Verizon and Sprint, it too operates a CDMA network.
Prior to Tuesday's news, some had speculated that Verizon could pay Apple extra in their deal to keep the iPhone away from other carriers like T-Mobile and Sprint, leaving Apple's smartphone only available from AT&T ant Verizon.
Outside of the U.S., the new CDMA iPhone will likely also allow Apple to make the iPhone available on other carriers like China Telecom. Last October, it was rumored that Apple and China Telecom were already in talks to offer a CDMA variant of the iPhone.
Comments
I can go to 10 grocery stores and buy the same bottle of Heinz Ketchup!
Love it. We will definitely see future price reductions from ATT if this comes to pass.
Imagine sprint offering unlimited everything for $79/mo?
Best
Sorry, but iPhones aren't meant to be thrown away after 2 weeks of use.
Imagine sprint offering unlimited everything for $79/mo?
I don?t think Sprint could offer that. I think they?d know the demand for the device and network use and charge more. I would.
Just what we need, FOUR iPhone models...
OH NO! Fragmentation!!!
/s
I'm waiting patiently at T-Mobile.
Yes!
I'm waiting patiently at T-Mobile.
T-Mobile sucks.
This shows just how desperate Verizon is for the iPhone. They have zero leverage. Zero.
You say that like it's a bad thing.
This is so good to know...make the iPhone available on all networks!
I can go to 10 grocery stores and buy the same bottle of Heinz Ketchup!
Love it. We will definitely see future price reductions from ATT if this comes to pass.
Imagine sprint offering unlimited everything for $79/mo?
Best
With free hot spot service I'm in
MetroPCS???
Sorry, but iPhones aren't meant to be thrown away after 2 weeks of use.
Hey, at least they have a 4G LTE network! They have theirs up before AT&T and Verizon!
Keeps the network provider in check when they know I can sell my iPhone, pay the ETF and get the same phone on a different network.
I like when the phone I want is available everywhere. The "ball is in my court" so to speak when it comes to keeping my carrier in check.
Great part about the iPhone, it sells for enough to pay the ETF, so that's a non issue.
T-Mobile sucks.
I'm happy with my TMo service...It's the cheapest and whenever I travel to Europe, I have no problems connecting to their network! You can't say that about AT&T or Verizon.
OH NO! Fragmentation!!!
/s
But seriously it's not as you indicate