Rumors abound that the iPhone may indeed be heading to Verizon or a different network in January 2011.
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Based on a recent Morpace Omnibus study, it is clear that if the iPhone does become available on the Verizon network, it will impact the phone and carrier intentions of many consumers. The study found that nearly a third of consumers are very likely or somewhat likely to purchase an iPhone if it is made available to Verizon.
The survey reveals that Verizon iPhone intenders come primarily from current Verizon customers. However, intenders are also drawn from current AT&T customers as well as from other carriers. Current AT&T iPhone customers are also interested in a Verizon iPhone.
Recent rumors of the iPhone availability on Verizon or another carrier may also be impacting the number of upgrades seen for the iPhone 4. Nearly all 34 percent of AT&T iPhone owners who have not yet upgraded to the iPhone 4 say they are waiting for the iPhone to become available through another mobile carrier before upgrading.
Conclusions
• The impact on other Verizon smartphones that have not previously had to compete directly with the iPhone may be significant if Verizon begins to carry the iPhone. It could drastically impact the purchase of other phones.
• There may be concerns over how the Verizon network will handle the bandwidth demands of iPhone users.
• The shake-up of unlimited vs. tiered data plans will continue and become a key element of customer choice. The mobile networks will need to carefully develop their business strategies.
• The impact of Android phones, a current favorite among Verizon customers, has yet to be determined and could be the key to understanding future market share if Verizon and Apple develop an agreement.
Morpace understands how consumer preferences for handsets, mobile carriers, and data plans come together to affect the success of new products and services in the complex mobile market. With our guidance, companies can develop a “go to market” strategy that is supported by existing consumer trends and changing consumer perceptions. In the case of Apple’s iPhone and Verizon, mobile carriers need to recognize what they need to do now if and when a partnership is formed.
A total of 1,000 consumers were surveyed July 15-20 as part of the Morpace Omnibus study.
Source: Morplace Inc.
MacDailyNews Take: As we’ve been saying all along: Android’s claim to fame is its toehold in the U.S. where Apple iPhone is currently exclusively tied to AT&T Mobility. Once iPhone goes to multiple carriers in the U.S., the Google Android dream will instantly turn into a nightmare. People want iPhones. Android’s “popularity” is artificial and this is not the first survey to show it (see related articles below). Verizon customers are currently settling for an inferior imitation with Android devices, and many of them seem quite cognizant of the fact that they are settling as the majority of them clearly want iPhones. When Apple finally does deliver iPhone to multiple U.S. carriers, Cupertino and their new carrier partner(s) had better have many millions of units on hand and ready to sell as demand looks to be intense.
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