“With the Apple iPhone launch less than two weeks away, Verizon sees its services and not a new iPhone-killing handset as the way to compete against rival AT&T, said CEO Ivan Seidenberg,” Marguerite Reardon reports for CNET News.
“When asked if he thinks the company will take a hit from subscribers ditching Verizon Wireless’ service for AT&T’s he said he believes that Verizon is in a very good position. Verizon Wireless has long enjoyed strong customer loyalty with one of the lowest churn rates of any major wireless operator in the country,” Reardon reports.
MacDailyNews Take: You’ve got about 9 days left of enjoyment, Mr. Seidenberg.
Reardon continues, “‘The iPhone will add excitement and stimulation to the market,’ he said. ‘If we have done our job, then we will be a beneficiary. I hope it does reasonably well.’ But a ban imposed earlier this month by the International Trade Commission on handsets that contain some 3G, or third-generation, Qualcomm technology could throw a monkey wrench into Seidenberg’s plan, if the issue isn’t resolved.”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Adam W.” for the heads up.]
“For some reason I always thought CrissyOne was a different gender.”
Oh, didn’t you hear? Tommy thought he was being clever by posting a link to my MySpace. Took some heavy detective work, considering it’s the very first Google hit and all, and it’s all information I posted my self on a public site. Way to go, Tommy, my secret is out! (get it? har!)
Will you be my publicity manager?! ;P
-c
@C1, I know I know. But if I gave out my real email address then no one would like me. Ok… here’s my REAL email addy. ;-p
@C1, I know I know. But if I gave out my real email address then no one would like me. Ok… here’s my REAL email addy. ;-p
@C1, I know I know. But if I gave out my real email address then no one would like me. Ok… here’s my REAL email addy. ;-p
@C1, I know I know. But if I gave out my real email address then no one would like me. Ok… here’s my REAL email addy. ;-p
“I’d wager very few of you knobs could even afford an iphone and even fewer of you will acually buy one?”
wager what you want. you lose.
I’d agree that Verizon isn’t planning on fighting the iPhone. At least not yet.
From the full article, Verizon CEO Seidenberg says, “The way we see it, our customers have price points and service packaging that is different.”
It’s sounds like Verizon’s assumption is that the iPhone is a luxury product that a good number of their customers either don’t need or can’t afford. That’s not to say that it isn’t a highly desirable product, though. This “do nothing special” strategy could be fatal if the iPhone follows the RAZR’s path. After all, the RAZR started as a “luxury” phone then quickly moved down-market.
With AT&T’s 5-year lock-up, Verizon really starts to sweat if (and when) the iPhone’s price point drops to the $200 – $300 range.
@ pudding & pie/Tommy Boy
Then it’s just as I suspected.
Howling
Achilles is right. ATT’s coverage in rural area are poor. If I drive down south or west one hour from where I live, Verizon is the only reliable carrier.
“I’d wager very few of you knobs could even afford an iphone . . .”
If you got a second newspaper route, you might have enough for one next year. A knob, that is.
My oh my the A-holes are out in force today.
@ pudding & pie…don’t confuse us with people who actually care about what you say….
@C1….Don’t get your brakes done…you’ll have an excuse for the judge when P&P becomes a sidewalk pizza
Mmmmmmmmmmm, pizza!
@ChrissyOne
p&pie; is from UK, but is not same person as Tommy Boy.
give it up CO, you’re drawing attention to yourself, and you ain’t looking gooood!
All I can say, as a longtime Verizon wireless customer, is, I hope Verizon bites the very big one this time around. There is nothing like the extreme arrogance of the really really big corps, especially when we’re about to watch them eat dork pork. Obviously not having the iPhone isn’t going to kill them, but it could definitely hurt. Yeah baby, that’s what I’m talkin about!
Is that thick or thin crust?
Nice UHF tie in…
@ SJ
“I’d say he’s got you nailed! LOL”
If I was getting nailed, he would not even be allowed in line.
@ ApplPie
Oh yeah, you blend.
@ ApplPie
“give it up CO, you’re drawing attention to yourself, and you ain’t looking gooood!”
At least I can spell my own name, honey.
@ ApplPie – C1 isn’t the one pulling on the trouser leg of PNP and tb.
15 months then bye bye verizon.
“When asked if he thinks the company will take a hit from subscribers ditching Verizon Wireless’ service for AT&T’s he said he believes that Verizon is in a very good position. Verizon Wireless has long enjoyed strong customer loyalty with one of the lowest churn rates of any major wireless operator in the country”
They enjoyed my family as customers, we had as many as 5 phones at one point, for years. In total we were customers for over 10 years with Verizon Wireless.
We’ve already switched to Cingular/AT&T and are in line for iPhones.
Bye bye Verizon!
MDN “example” as in my family is an example of things to come, Verizon!
The vast majority of iPhone buyers will be in urban areas, where the carrier really doesn’t matter much. I’ve been a Sprint customer in Kansas City, 15 miles from their corporate headquarters, and had dropped calls. I’ve been a Verizon Wireless customer for 3 1/2 years now, and have had dropped calls in Kansas City, Phoenix, LA, and other areas.
I’d buy an iPhone even if it was Joe’s Wireless service. Apple won’t let AT&T or anyone else have poor service for their product. I’m sure they have minimum requirements in their contract with AT&T regarding coverage, dropped call rates, etc., and a termination clause if AT&T fails to meet service requirements.
Jobs is not about to let the iPhone suffer due to bad service. Don’t forget, AT&T was spending a lot of money updating towers and other service infrastructure over the past few months. They’re not doing that just coincidentally with the coming of the iPhone. Apple forced them, or no iPhone (or quickly being able to offer iPhone to other carriers).
@ChrissyOne
I’m bored now… your too easy!