Verizon's 4G LTE 'Demand' Raises Hopes and Doubts Among iPhone Loyalists

[Michael Essany]

Depending on whether you're an optimist or a pessimist, Verizon's announcement this week was either the best news you've heard in days or the worst.

In case you missed it, Verizon has issued what amounts to a demand incumbent upon future smartphone makers. The "hard requirement," as the carrier puts it, aims to obligate all future smartphones on the Verizon network to support 4G LTE.

Without Verizon having even mentioned Apple's iPhone, the announcement suddenly became all about the iPhone. Naturally, some are taking this to mean that Apple's next gen-iPhone won't be carried by Verizon if it isn't 4G LTE friendly. Others, of course, take the news as a clear indication that Apple will embrace 4G LTE with the iPhone 5.

So before this debate goes any further, it's worth drawing attention to one little tidbit from Verizon's a announcement that was largely overlooked yesterday. The "requirement" isn't as hard and fast as it seems. That is, Verizon says exceptions will be made (no iPhone related details were given) and that consumers stand to benefit from the new policy.

Anyone who thinks Verizon will lose or give up the iPhone this year when the new model is unveiled is a significantly misguided individual. Despite what the rumor mill suggests, neither Verizon or Apple has given any indication that future iPhone models won't be carrier by Verizon. If anything, the announcement should come as a clear indication that Apple probably will push ahead toward 4G LTE with the next iPhone - a prospect that was rumored long before Verizon made its announcement on Wednesday.

Source: CNET

[c0dy]

0% of chance Verizon losing the iPhone even if the i5 doesn't support 4G LTE. I like the policy though

[steve-z17]

Verizon will make an exception with the iPhone, no doubt about it.

[DJStile]

Well then Verizon should have a self imposed "requirement" to actually HAVE LTE in MOST of the country. Otherwise if you live in a 3G only area but have an LTE phone you get none of the benefits of LTE and all of the battery drawbacks. I'm on AT&T but if I were on Verizon and they made me get an LTE iPhone but no LTE in my area or plans to build it, I would switch to a different carrier.

[eightyk88]

Next generation iPhone*
Verizon also said "(almost) 'All' "

Well then Verizon should have a self imposed "requirement" to actually HAVE LTE in MOST of the country. Otherwise if you live in a 3G only area but have an LTE phone you get none of the benefits of LTE and all of the battery drawbacks. I'm on AT&T but if I were on Verizon and they made me get an LTE iPhone but no LTE in my area or plans to build it, I would switch to a different carrier.

.

By the end of this current year Verizon Wireless plans on having 2/3rds of the us population covered in 4G. Plus no one is forcing you to buy the next iPhone, now that I think about it I had a 3GS with AT&T before there was att 3G in my home town. Did I make the Wong choice?

[GmAz]

Apple will say **** you or else they won't have a new feature to release with the iPhone 9.

[Bluemoldycheeze88]

It's stupid for apple not to implement 4G LTE this year. Both AT&T and Verizon which happen to be #1 & #2 Carriers of the iPhone have said that full LTE deployment will be completed by the end of 2013. So if they release It in October like they did with the 4s, your area will (a) have LTE or (b) get it within 14 months. If your in a small town you might not get it.

[dfheje]

Apple will say **** you or else they won't have a new feature to release with the iPhone 9.

Lol, honestly, I could see apple doing that.
And theres NO way Verizon will drop support for the iPhone.
This news doesnt really matter because it'll either be iPhone 4G, or another 3G anyways, with or without the rule.