Rumor: Verizon launching LTE 4G iPhone in early 2011

December 13, 2010 By Molly McHugh

This one just won't die: In that latest round of Verizon iPhone talk, a a source claims Verizon will bring a 4G version of the iPhone to its brand new LTE network in early 2011.

Rumor has it that one of the phones to premiere on Verizon’s new LTE 4G network will the none other than the iPhone. Mac Daily News reported this morning that an anonymous source “familiar with the matter” had a list of reasons to believe Apple is coming to the carrier. The source claimed that Verizon held iPhone sales training last week that featured hands-on time with the LTE-enabled iPhones.

However, the smartphones will not be available until after Christmas, as the source said that this was “AT&T’s final demand so as to maximize [its] Christmas iPhone sales.” The source went on to claim that Steve Jobs is frustrated by other carriers inability to offer LTE and is ready to get Apple products using the service.

Before we indulge the speculation too much, it’s important to reaffirm that this is a single, anonymous source, and let’s not forget the long history of Verizon iPhone rumors. That said, if there is truth to this, a Verizon iPhone could be available in a month’s time. The idea of any network besides AT&T carrying the iPhone seems ludricous, but just last month Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg reported that the carrier’s 4G developments weren’t going unnoticed by Apple. And let’s not forget that Verizon also sells the iPad, which some thought (or maybe hoped) was an indication of future collaboration between the two companies.

Finally getting access to arguably the most popular smartphone the market sounds like a huge coup for Verizon, but some sources claim otherwise. Cult of Mac is reporting that a leaked Verizon sales chart illustrates how badly the company needs the iPhone. One chart shows that AT&T and iPhone quarterly sales easily outdid all Verizon smartphone revenue. Apparently, this has led Verizon to desperation, and the agreement to begin selling the iPhone on its network is a deal that will largely benefit Apple. That is, if the agreement is even true.

But if it is, Verizon could see some climbing numbers, since many iPhone users would love to dump AT&T. Still, don’t get too ready to tear up that AT&T contract just yet — it’s a little early to say a Verizon iPhone is more than a myth.

Showing 25 comments

Linda at 5:02am 14th January 2011 Buy your Verizon iPhone 4 case from AshineKit.com
OJ in SD at 6:51pm 11th January 2011 just so everyone is clear it will be the iphone4 which is not a 4G phone, it is only 3g. Some people seem to be confused, I saw somewhere where people were talking about using LTE on Verizon, the iphone that will be released will run on CDMA technology.
DJ Atlanta at 7:29am 11th January 2011 But an ATT iphone wont ever work on VZ network...you'll have to get a new unit? and a VZW iphone wont work on ATT.... ???
dcw3 at 11:11am 10th January 2011 Well to all doubted the rumors or whatever the iphone4 IS coming to Verizon for sure it was announced today! AND it is this month jus heard the news! Me myself I have an Android X and really do love it! Will wait for Verizon to have it on the service before I actually switch! Had an iphone with At&T but the service was horrible. So hope Verizon works it out better!
Shawn Miller at 7:28am 9th January 2011 http://doesverizonhavetheiphone.com
Juan at 1:17am 9th January 2011 If verizon does get the iPhone it only means that those who do stick with att mite get their unlimited Internet cause thell be less people using up all the bandwidth that caused the removal of the unlimited Internet
Jere at 8:59am 8th January 2011 VOTE: Will it happen? http://www.f8ball.com/f8ball/index.cfm/q/vote/nam...
Andi at 1:21am 7th January 2011 Verizon isn't getting the iPhone. These rumors have been circulating for years and never happen...and besides, I read that AT&T signed a 5 year contract. That means 2012 if at all.
1. nikolai at 2:11pm 11th January 2011 it was announced to be on the market February 10th earlier today today
Alison at 12:53pm 6th January 2011 Right now I'm a Verizon customer, but I wanna get the iphone because one of my friends got one for Christmas and I really <3 it. I would never get an at&t phone though, 'cause my parents usta have their phones and everytime I would talk on their phones the call would get dropped. I hope they come out with the iphone on verizon b4 this December 'cause that's when my contracts up and I can get a new phone. =)
Shawna at 3:05am 4th January 2011 I was a long time verizon customer. And had to cancel my cell service to finally get money back the verizon owed me for taking my bill twice out of my account. It took over two months. I still have there tv service and spent an hour on the phone the other night b/c I just wanted to see if my payment went through. I would never trade AT&T for verizon. I pay alot more for a service that does not compare.
1. Nate at 5:40am 8th January 2011 Verizon Wireless and Verizon landline(tv) are two separate companies....too bad a "long time customer" doesnt even know that.
ANDY at 7:31am 3rd January 2011 ENOUGH GAMES VERIZON AND APPLE - JUST GIVE A DATE
CPNY at 1:40pm 31st December 2010 If verizon gets the iphone as rumored, expect many bugs in the new LTE network. With the amount of AT&T iphone users most likely jumping ship, it would free up AT&T's network usage. I have been an AT&T customer for over 10 years and I would love to jump onto verizon however I will only do it knowing Verizon's network will be able to sustain the overload it will most likely see. With the LTE network will voice and data work at the same time? Dont expect LTE to be everywhere just yet. You will most likely be on the older network where you will need to disconnect voice in order to run data. I for one will give it a year and stick with what is hopefully a less congested AT&T network.
VentNation at 1:13pm 28th December 2010 Verizon customers.....speak your mind! The more people demand iPhones the better chance we'll have at Verizon carrying them. That's just my opinion. I think demand is high but people just aren't being vocal enough.
Knowitall at 8:36pm 27th December 2010 Release Jan, 3rd. Store mgrs have already been trained, and shipping warehouses are stocking them now.
1. knowsmorethanyou at 8:46am 8th January 2011 January 3rd has come and gone. Guess you might want to consider changing your user name.
Randy at 11:49am 27th December 2010 3rd party Verizon stores can now order iphone accessories. hmmmmmm.
1. me1 at 8:35am 9th January 2011 3rd party Verizon stores such as ralphs wireless or Walmart those are 3rd party vendors and they sell more than verizon phones they deal with most all the carriers, so just cause their selling accessories doesnt mean a thing.
czar at 8:18am 14th December 2010 verizon will get iphone untill january 2012
1. Guess Who????? at 7:38pm 22nd December 2010 Huh nooo..... i called verizon and they said they r doin it this year i swear im not lying and im soo excited for it
Joel at 12:49pm 13th December 2010 Verizon won't get the iPhone this year. They're not going to sell it the day after Christmas, even if AT&T said that Apple had to wait until after Christmas. Verizon needs the iPhone, but they need it to be successful. If they open it the day after Christmas - 26 days after launching their LTE network - they run the risk of having too many AT&T-like bugs. Best bet for a 4G iPhone with Verizon will be Summer 2011. 3G should be available Q3 2011 to test out how the iPhone works with Verizon. (Then again, the aforementioned plan does seem like somewhat of a waste, but if Q3 works as a test-run coupled with a steady stream of defectors from AT&T, fiscally it would work).
1. HA ha ha ha at 7:51pm 11th January 2011 Doofus! - http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/iphone....
JJJJ at 11:57am 13th December 2010 Sell it at BestBuy. I got $305 for my iphone 4g. Good deal!
uknow at 11:48am 13th December 2010 Can't WAIT to dump at&t after about 15 years!