“First and foremost, it will be on Verizon’s network, which Verizon loyalists and iPhone holdouts certainly hope will mean better calls,” Fried writes. “Of course, the Verizon iPhone may also benefit from lessons learned from the iPhone 4 and that makes an improved antenna more likely.”
Fried writes, “Less likely, but still possible is that the Verizon iPhone might have the ability to act as a portable hotspot… Also of note will be to see which networks the Verizon iPhone supports.”
Read more in the full article, whence, by the way, the parenthetical “Besides Being Able to Make Calls” headline addendum derives, here.
MacDailyNews Take: The strange experiment of having the world’s best smartphone stuck on one of the world’s worst networks can’t end soon enough. The sound of milk hitting Rice Crispies on most every call with at least one drop during every third one for over three years now; the bills kept coming, but relief never did. We’re beyond tired of having to call people back only to hear them say, “oh, you must have an iPhone” as if it’s Apple’s fault. AT&T early termination fee, here we come!
Have at it, AT&T astroturfers.
” AT&T early termination fee, here we come!”
A fool and his money are soon parted.
The grass is always greener on the other side, huh? And hope springs eternal from the human breast. ATT will remain the devil we know . . . until the new devil (Verizon) finally arrives. And then TWO forms of Hell will arise.
Wait..according to some posters here on MDN the CDMA VZ iPhone is NEVER coming. “Coming to VZ since 2007”. Just a myth. What’s up? Are you all in cave now or something?
Shhh..Very quite..
MDN should just move out of New York, where he will soon find Verizon’s network way over-taxed. Down here in Texas where companies can build additional network capacity in terms of days, rather than years, AT&T’s network never drops my calls. I can’t wait to bask in the Schadenfreude of MDN’s upcoming complaints about Verizon.
Is the iPhone 4 considered a 4g device? Sorry for the ignorant question.
MDN – you will soon learn that no network can keep up with the increased use of data. I know most NY and Bay area ATT subs are frustrated – annoyed – angry with the carrier – but I have been very happy with the service where I live…
And now you will get to see how useful it is to be able to look something up while making a call – something I do a lot…
I may have one call dropped per year with AT&T. I could not be happier with my service. And I came from Verizon 3 years ago.
My question: Can you make a call and surf the web at the same time? Talk and do Google Maps? This was one thing AT&T had over Verizon was the ability to do both at the same time. Apple even did a commercial about it, and this was due to a supposed limitation of the Verizon network.
http://mashable.com/2009/11/23/apple-verizon-ads/
I have had the iPhone on ATT since day one. No problems whatsoever with calls. ATT customer service has been great. Since I got the iPhone 4 I make a lot of FaceTime calls. Everything just works. Thanks ATT.
@Dan The Photo Man
same. AT&T is wonderful in the greater Boston region. left those thieves at Verizon 3 years ago. AT&T cust service has been nothing but wonderful to me about errors on my bill or questions, unlike Verizon who might as well have told me to shove my phone you-know-where.
Auntie V, rot in hell.
The only places ATT may have substandard service are in cities that have horrendous permitting processes.
Service complaints should be directed at local governments, not ATT.
Another Texan here who rarely has had dropped calls with iPhone since June 2007.
Sick of hearing how great Verizon is. I’ve had little problem with ATT calls. Just not an issue for me. If you need to move to Verizon, go ahead. I don’t think it’ll be the exodus people think it will be. In the end, they’re all roughly the same.
I have decided that it depends on location, some people dis AT&T way to much as well as verizon, i have AT&T for over 10 years, have had less than 5 dropped calls ( which where from verizon) AWESOME customer support, most of my friends have verizon and don’t have much trouble, so location location, I really don’t think verizon is better , or stronger , I will always be with AT&T , iPhone or not, which I have had everyone of the iPhones , and now the iPad , apple is the real thing people need to realize is the future so ,,,, complain if you must , but it’s the company behind the phone not the carrier, both need to come to the real terms of “4g” which is not possible as a whe network till later this year!!!!!!!
The antenna issue is still considered a problem by those who don’t actually have an iPhone.
No complaints about AT&T’s signal where I live. I’m staying with them, although I’m not a fan of either carrier’s management attitude.
Add me to the long list those with fine service on AT&T. It’s not just me here, either. Most empirical comparisons of service providers in the city of Boston indicate that AT&T is in the top one or two in service reliability and is #1 in data speed.
That said, my friends the live or work in the burbs do experience problems, probably more with AT&T than Verizon. Of course, they blame the phone, not the service.
I love AT&T as my iPhone 4 carrier. But I know a lot of Verizon lovers in my market of Santa Cruz CA on the north shore and mountains of the Monterey Bay. I too wonder if the new CDMA iPhone will let you browse the Internet while you’re talking.
I think Ina Fried is a weird experiment. Verizon iPhone kinda makes sense.
Dropped calls can be annoying sure, but I’ll take occasional dropped calls over missing calls entirely due to lack of simultaneous voice/data.
Early on my AT&T service was iffy, but now I practically never drop a call. I’m stickin.
AT&T is also very good in the Orlando area. Though I have to say that every time I visit the north east I seem to see dropped calls and very slow 3G.
In any event – competition is good. It will only ensure that AT&T and Verizon better improves their services to earn your business. Next = Sprint and T-Mobile to ensure their are no monopolies on the iPhone.
@ rageous
Bet you there’s a work-around for that. Perhaps you won’t be able to do surfing and talking at the same time, but I bet you’ll be notified of an incoming call and can make a choice as to whether or not to take it.
Honestly, I’d prefer simultaneous voice and date. But I’m prepared to accept a couple of compromises.
I’ve been with Verizon and I’m with AT&T now. I like AT&T much better. Verizon will nickel and dime you to death.
Also, AT&T has allowed me to upgrade my iPhone after only one year of my two year contracts. I highly doubt Verizon will be doing that.
I hope Sprint gets it and that I can find a way to drop ATT and still keep a landline. Then goodbye ATT. Crooks.
That myth did last for four years, so even if it is busted this year, that’s a long time to be vaporware.
I hate AT&T, but not because of the cellular service, but because of the customer (dis)service. They never fail to anger me.
I have one AT&T iPhone off contract and one soon-to-be. Verizon, here I come! Unfortunately, I’m still deeply in debt on three iPhone 4s, but nothing about $900 can’t fix. I might just ride them out though and see how good Verizon’s network ACTUALLY is.
Dear MDN,
When Apple decided to go Xingular for the iPhone; I said here that the decision was HORRIBLE! Ma Bell has never looked out for its customers and never will. I am glad y’all finally see the light after so many years.
just my $0.02
I used to be with Verizon. There customer support was terrible. I have been with AT&T for almost 10 years now, except for that brief period that I went to Verizon. I left Verizon early and came back to AT&T. If Verizon had been the first company to have the iPhone, they would have had similar problems to AT&T. Verizon has learned a lot from the AT&T experience. But the question still remains, will they be able to handle all of the users when they get flooded with iPhones? Probably not!!!
mdn get over your self BOTH companies SUCK both asked me what was my 3 story apt building made of and i said the whole friggin neigborhood was built in 1902 what the hell they didnt build a network that could penatrate your standard buiding materials of wood and brick the wall arent even thick its not like these slabs of concrete and glass buildings or concrete blocks its 110 year old brick and wood gimme a break and its not like their are big buildings blocking me the while friggin neigborhood is compriesed of the same damn buidlings so the iPhone could go to every network that wont affect my phone user experience.
I’m with the other Texans on good ATT reception.
I now live in Arkansas and my iPhone does as good if not better than my company issued Samsung from Verizon.
Matter of fact, I had a company ATT Samsung that worked fine until we switched to Verizon. Hmmm…..
I forgot to mention… How can MDN complain about AT&T when MDN’s App on the iPhone is terrible. Most times you can’t get the articles or index. I have written to them and they keep saying, “Better days are ahead!” Still waiting on you MDN, and quit knocking AT&T.
I know Verizon has a better network than AT & T but when you have a voice connection and AT & T does not drop it I find that the AT & T call is clearer than Verizon, at least that has been my experience when I compare it to my work Verizon phone.
Verizon will get a version of the 4th gen iPhone and AT&T will get the iPhone 5 in July, so don’t get locked into a Verizon contract just yet.
Add me to the ones who have zero problems with calls on ATT.
Add me to the ones who have had experience with Verizon trying to rip me off on every other bill.
Typical MDN: Root for the winning team until their score slips, then start rooting for the other team. Hey Mr. MDN, did you happen to iCal any of your “Verizon Better Than ATT Is Myth” takes?
Nothing broken with AT&T for me.
Fact is, Verizon turned their nose up to the iPhone. So, I don’t care how superior their network is. They’re an ignorant, spineless bunch of visionless sops. Good riddance to anyone bitching about AT&T.
I’m bringing a honking-ass bag of pennies for my cancellation fee.
I’ll be wearing a big-ass smirk every second watching them count it.
@ LynnW,
iPhone 4 is not 4G. There is no such thing as an ignorant question, just ignorant answers, bitch.
LynnW
No, the iPhone 4 (as it existts today) is not “4G” but there really is no 4G available anyway, the “4G” some networks are touting is basically good 3G, the rest is all marketing. Real 4G is not available in the US (and not likely to be for some time)
http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/01/technology/4g_myth/index.htm
I don’t hate AT&T. Their service has gotten pretty good in our area. But, there just isn’t the coverage once you get into rural areas. It’s all area specific. We took a trip down to Orlando during Thanksgiving. AT&T coverage there was spotty.
I just hope the VZ iPhone is a world phone. Because I’m jumping ship!! Goodbye AT&T
@Lynn W
The iPhone 4 on AT&T is the fourth generation iPhone. That’s the reason why the numeral 4 was appended to it. It’s really a GSM phone on 3G service which is to say the third generation of the GSM standard.
What differentiates 2G from 3G in the GSM network is the rate of data transfer. This is asymmetrical meaning that download speeds are higher than upload speeds.
Using the fastest HSDPA protocol (high speed downlink packet access) to measure speeds available to the iPhone 4 you get 7.2Mbps which is the theoretical maximum. Factors such as cell density, congestion at certain times of the day, subscriber penetration have an impact on actual speeds. Under normal usage you should get about 1.2Mbps but since it’s a mobile device anything above 300Kbps should be acceptable.
4G networks on the other hand refer to fourth generation GSM/WCDMA networks which the ITU defines as capable of achieving 100Mbps. The current state of technological development falls far short of this standard.
What is meant by 4G is really 3.5G which utilizes the HSDPA+ protocol with reputed speed improvements in the order of 200% from 3G. Again these are theoretical maximums only.
Correction,
the “4G” some networks are touting is basically good 3G
Should have read:
the “4G” networks some carriers are touting are basically on par with good 3G
And for all of the idiots that keep saying that “Apple will never come out with a phone that doesn’t do voice and data at the same time”. Let me introduce you to the first generation iPhone that ran only on Edge back in 2007.
My phone makes calls fine on AT&T. If Verizon works for you, fine and dandy. But the continued grass is greener mentality is ridiculous.
I kind of hope Verizon implodes just as badly as AT&T did in the beginning, just to shut you people up. Verizon never had to deal with the demands of iPhone on its system.
MDN so obviously planted their bait in their take (“Have at it, AT&T astroturfers.”), and apparently almost everyone here happily took it!
I for one will continue to be doubtful of this Verizon iPhone until it comes. Long-timers here may remember that I’ve been one of the persistent resident skeptics, recalling the AT&T 5-year exclusivity agreement.
If that Verizon iPhone really does come soon (i.e. before this year ends), I’ll be the first one to admit I was wrong.
I’ll make the switch to Verizon when my contract is up. Haven’t had any major problems with the carrier and have been with Cingular/AT&T for six years now but Verizon has better 3G coverage.
There has been areas, small towns that my friend who has Verizon has 3G. In my hometown of 7,000 when I go home on vacation no 3G! But all my buddies on Verizon get 3G in my little town.
I live in Co Springs and it works great most of the time. Haven’t had major problems just want better 3G coverage, and that’s something Verizon’s network is strong.
I’ve switched at least 3 people in LA and Seattle because I was getting service with my AT&T iPhone in their houses where they could not get service on their Verizon phones… That’s, at least, 4 of us that will not be switching. I welcome people to switch though… That’ll free up the data highway on AT&T for those of us that stay
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I love how people here tout the Apple Vision, and mock Android and Microsoft for not taking chances,
but then are so ready to jump ship from ATT, the company that took the risk many years ago. Where’s the loyalty when you jump to Verizon, the gutless, nickel-and-diming bottom feeders who now want the product they were dissing a year ago?
Any company can only thrive when customers are loyal and reward innovation. Otherwise we might as well all be using Acer laptops and talking on “get one free” Razers.
Look guys, when the iPhone first came out, AT&T was hammered. I had drop calls almost daily. Now, I can’t remember when I had a drop call.
Verizon has the advantage of looking good here. They have had years to prepare, so its really not a fair comparison.
@MacTony – amen. I’m using the 1st Gen iPhone (EDGE network) and it does not do voice+data simultaneously. Just one of many big disappointments in that original iPhone rollout.
I live in upstate NY where Verizon does not work at all but AT & T does, though not as well as Sprint. Not only that- but Verizon customer service is pure Hell.
Nice.
Mdn removed my comment!
Bash AT&T, fine!
Praise verizon, great!
Bash google, perfect!
Point out MDN app on iPhone sucks….. Don’t do that!
Point out MDN app on iPhone uses GOOGLE sites to track you… Bad user!!!!!
AT&T here in Seattle has been just fine for me. Been using my iPhone since 2008 with no issues. A few dead zones for 3G when you get to the foothills, but nothing to get enraged about.
I think problems with carriers are really problems with coverage.
On one occasion, a single call got dropped eight times, but it was during the time they were upgrading the network in my area. Local calls were affected, too. After a couple of days, things were better than normal.
I have a friend who has AT&T also. Sometimes when we talk, the call gets dropped, but that is because he’s driving through mountains, not because of AT&T.
With time, I’ve noticed dead spots coming to life. Last night, for example, I drove through an area that was a zero-bar area as recently as last week, but I got three bars.
If you are in an office building with girders, you are essentially in a Faraday cage. You’re more likely to have bad coverage than not.
Let’s not forget:
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2010/12/consumer-reports-cell-phone-survey-att-worst.html
ATT doesn’t even have 3G in my area, Verizon does. Switching is a no brainer
As I have pointed out on many occasions, and as others have noted here, had the situation been reversed and Verizon had been the first to offer the iPhone, iPhone users would have been screaming at Verizon just as loudly as they (me included) have been screaming at AT&T. The best thing about the Verizon iPhone is that it will undoubtedly take some of the load off AT&T’s overburdened network. So although I have no plans to switch (I hate Verizon even more than I hate AT&T), I am ecstatic about the Verizon iPhone.
I’m still on the fence about if it will really be released, but if it is I will be there. I have never had a chance to test out AT&T because my dad told me that it was horrible for him, but I doubt it’s as bad as he said it was. I have been on Verizon for 2 Years now and have yet to drop a call on my Droid(Original). I have loved the service, but hate the phones. They are all re-skinned versions of the exact sane thing which is incredibly buggy. It exits out of menús and lags like crazy! My iPod Touch is so much smoother and much more user friendly so I really can’t wait to have it in my hands.HoorayFor Apple 😀
Where I’m at, central Kansas and 45 minutes from Wichita, ATT is not a good option. So Verizon it is. Service is good everywhere I go. Nationwide included. As far as whether I’d be able to do calls and data at the same time? Well, since I can’t do that now I don’t know what I’m missing and may not have that much use for it either. Have a Fascinate now but would definitely go to iPhone.
Hope all of you Verizon iPhone users never have to travel to the US Virgin Islands, as Verizon seems to think that the USVI it is not part of the USA. Good friends felt the Verizon pain of international roaming fees after returning from their vacation. My AT&T iPhone worked just great on standard US rates.
I don’t know why everyone thinks that AT&T is bad. I have been with tmobile and sprint, I think AT&T is the best and my iPhone barely drops a call
Again I say: “seeing apples work and well integrated applications of technology (the iphones) being tied to Verizon makes me want to throw up” 🙁
two summers ago driving on route 4 from vermont stopped just across the border in new york, about as “out in the middle of nowhere” as you can get, stopped and had no problem with making phone calls.
MDN!
Please decent ATT?
I mean, you always did.
Ohh I forgot. You turn the way the wind blows. You always do…
I never, never needed to call at&t for customer service.
Why? AT&T service hasn’t let me down. I know that there are some areas with limited coverage but Verizon has them too.
So, good luck switchers.
I switched from Verizon to AT&T before the iPhone came out because of dropped calls and poor customer service. Can’t wait til ole MDN gets a load of Verizon’s crappy, slow network and rude customer service reps. Sitting on the sidelines eating popcorn and counting down the minutes.
Count me in as the ones that likes AT&T. I been with them since they were called AT&T before they became Cingular. I been with them for a long time. I live in Northeast Pennsylvania. When I got the original iPhone 3 years ago, I had dropped calls like once in six months. That is because they were not ready for the usage. Over time it got better and I do not remember when I had a dropped call last. I guess my service will get even better when people leave AT&T for Verizon. lol.
Verizon… backwards technology, lousy customer service, overcharging on bills, but… they do have good old-fashioned voice coverage in their legacy CDMA network if you live in the boondocks. Not sure why everyone is so damn excited about Verizon, but that’s their problem. As a stockholder, I’m just glad Apple’s now able to sell to these fools, too. Get out your checkbooks, Verizon chumps.
Competition is great. I’ll buy the iPhone model that allows
tethering to my iPad in a heartbeat.
What is important to note here is that when those folks who leave AT&T and go to Verizon, that will open bandwidth for better calls. The AT&T network has been heavily burdened over the last couple of years because of the increased iPhone users. This will definitely lighten the load…
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