Did Verizon chief executive Ivan Seidenberg just dash the hopes of millions of customers waiting expectantly for the iPhone?
Speaking at a Goldman Sachs conference Thursday, the CEO said that the roll-out of Verizon's 4G LTE network might "accelerate the process" of allowing Verizon to carry the iPhone. Unfortunately, that network is not supposed to be fully rolled out until 2013.
"We don't feel like we have an iPhone deficit. We would love to carry it when we get there, but we have to earn it," Seidenberg said, according to a report from the AP.
Rumors about a Verizon iPhone have, of course, been flying around for years. The latest, and most persistent, rumor is that Verizon will get its hands on the coveted smartphone in January 2011.
"I think 4G will accelerate the process, and any other decisions Apple makes would be fine with us," Seidenberg said. "Hopefully, at some point Apple will get with the program."
Verizon plans to roll out its long-term evolution (LTE) network in 25 to 30 markets by year's end, and replace its entire network with 4G coverage by 2013. Initially, however, 4G will just cover data, not voice - which would not be helpful if Verizon wanted to add the iPhone.
A recent report said that an iPhone on Verizon could attract up to 1.4 million AT&T customers.