After much anticipation, Verizon Wireless is preparing to offer Apple’s iPhone to its customers, bringing the popular phone to a service other than AT&T for the first time in the United States.
Verizon’s iPhone will be a slightly modified version of the current iPhone 4, so that it works on Verizon's network.
Pre-release buzz for Verizon’s iPhone has been circling among ASU students.
“People on Sprint and stuff get less service than I do,” said Jessica Keller, a biology sophomore and Verizon Wireless customer. “I like Verizon's services.”
However, there are drawbacks to the phone. The limitations of Verizon’s network prevent users from hosting a phone call and browsing the Internet on 3G at the same time. AT&T users are able to do both simultaneously. Verizon users connected to Wi-Fi, however, would be able to talk and surf the Web at the same time.
Another potential limitation of the Verizon iPhone applies to users traveling abroad. Unlike AT&T, Verizon Wireless uses network technology that is not compatible with most cell phone services in Europe, meaning Verizon devices do not work in certain countries. However, there are ways around this issue.
“If you can't use your iPhone, we do have some global phones that you can rent at no cost,” said La Tasha Royal, a customer service representative at ASU's Verizon Wireless store.
This rental program offers phones such as the Blackberry 8830 World Edition.
The Verizon iPhone was rumored to start running on Verizon's much-hyped 4G LTE network, the company’s latest attempt at speeding up data transfer. But Verizon announced that the phone will start running on its 3G network.
Apple has traditionally released a new version of the iPhone every summer, which may cause customers to wait until the iPhone 5 is released before purchasing the phone.
“The new [iPhone] is probably going to come out in two months,” said communications freshman Daniel Rodriguez. “If I have an upgrade [I’ll get it], I'm not going to pay extra money for an iPhone.”
Reach the reporter at jlago@asu.edu
