“Verizon Wireless is aiming to entice more subscribers to its fourth-generation mobile broadband network by including 10 million more Americans than previously expected by year’s end and only introducing smartphones that are able to tap the faster network,” Greg Bensinger reports for Dow Jones Newswires.
“Verizon Wireless has pumped billions into building out and promoting the high-speed data network known as 4G LTE, but the carrier has drawn just 5% of its customers to the faster network, as it has struggled to convince customers to upgrade from their 3G devices, most notably Apple Inc.’s (AAPL) popular iPhone,” Bensinger reports.
“The carrier said that for the rest of 2012, it would only unveil smartphones capable of running on its 4G LTE network. The statement suggests any new iPhone this year will be 4G LTE-capable,” Bensinger reports. Verizon — the largest carrier in the U.S. by subscribers — doesn’t discuss specific future product offerings, and Apple was unavailable for an immediate comment.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Unless Apple’s not introducing a new iPhone this year or they’re dropping Verizon Wireless, neither of which seem even remotely likely, Verizon just confirmed that the next-gen iPhone will be 4G LTE-capable.
Regardless of the obviousness, now that we have 4G LTE-capable iPads as of this Friday, Steve would not be pleased.