Verizon CFO: iPhone 5 Will Be a 'Global' Device

[Michael Essany]

Verizon may have inadvertently announced more than just the company's 1st quarter earnings today. Although its unlikely that the "slip" was totally accidental, Verizon CFO Fran Shammo dropped what some are considering a major revelation despite the seemingly logical underpinnings of the announcement.

On Thursday, the Verizon executive in question made a comment about the forthcoming Apple iPhone 5. According to Shammo, the new iPhone 5 will be a global handset in that Apple will produce only one universally-compatible model for distribution around the globe.

If Shammo's statement proves correct, the fifth generation iPhone will be capable of roaming on the GSM wireless networks of the world, effectively giving Verizon a level playing field on which it can compete with AT&T. As we all know, the iPhone 4 presently comes in GSM and CDMA versions. The next iPhone update will conceivably bridge the gap and fuse both technologies into one device that can be used virtually anywhere.

Unfortunately, Verizon, AT&T, and Apple - all of which announced earnings this week - haven't shed light on when this bad boy will finally drop. As it stands, all signs point to an early summer production of the iPhone 5, which will formally reach consumers in late summer, most likely September.

Source: Mobiledia

[reznor9]

Nice. Then us Verizon customers will finally be getting the same firmware updates. I'm tired of being left out of the 4.3 firmwares.

[x_IMMORTAL_x]

Who really buys stripped down version of iphones? Oh yea verizon users : /

[Doran]

Didn't we know this already? It would just be cost effective for Apple to do it this way......

[steve-z17]

We knew this was a possibility

[kraziebone]

Yeah I kinda figured this would be the case. The Verizon iPhone chip is technically capable of GSM and CDMA right now

[rocketApe]

Great. Now King Jobs can piss on all the iphone users in the world at the same time.

[delusion950]

I like the idea. Am just curious as to how complicated jailbreaking process will be.

[KCinIA]

Assuming this is true, does this mean that AT&T users will have a larger 3G coverage map in the US? Experts??

[ODB25]

I just need to know if this thing is coming with a 4 inch screen or what, I'd think such a move is possible if it's not dropping until later in the yr and still be considered a minor change as the reports have been saying at least IMO

[Colby21]

so 4g???

[politicalslug]

If the iPhone 5 incorporates LTE & HSPA+, in addition to the dual GSM/CDMA capabilities, this forthcoming device will obliterate the competition.

[Poseidon79]

Nice. Then us Verizon customers will finally be getting the same firmware updates. I'm tired of being left out of the 4.3 firmwares.

Missing out on what exactly? What did 4.3 bring to the GSM phone that your VZ phone didn't already have?

[Snozberries]

If the iPhone 5 incorporates LTE & HSPA+, in addition to the dual GSM/CDMA capabilities, this forthcoming device will obliterate the competition.

well said my friend!!
+1

[Channan]

Missing out on what exactly? What did 4.3 bring to the GSM phone that your VZ phone didn't already have?

AirPlay in apps and that Nitro JavaScript engine.

[mikerlx]

Nice. Then us Verizon customers will finally be getting the same firmware updates. I'm tired of being left out of the 4.3 firmwares.

4.3 is no big deal as long as ur jailbroken


Sent from my iPhone using ModMyi

[mikerlx]

If the iPhone 5 incorporates LTE & HSPA+, in addition to the dual GSM/CDMA capabilities, this forthcoming device will obliterate the competition.

LTE? Wishful thinking lol my bet is World Phone with only 3G capabilities


Sent from my iPhone using ModMyi

[thumper_net]

Updates are fine but apple dont seem to test thier firmware , makes you feel you buy an expensive beta testing phone , with a global phone that would only work if the gsm networks outside the usa want to allow verizon customers access to their networks , which will take a long time as it would be a win for verizon and not for roaming european phones until all phones are global , something that wont happen until the us update thier networks to allow euro phones, verizon owners i think until the iphone 6 will only get one plus point out of a global iphone , the same beta rubbish we gsm owners have to put up with.

[muddyh2o]

Does this mean ip5 will be factory unlocked also???

[TheJailbreakGenius]

Who gives, we r mostly Americans, right?