AT&T ceases its reign as the sole provider for the iPhone

Picture Copyright-  Verizon

            That’s right, folks. Starting February 3^rd, existing Verizon customers may pre-order the iPhone 4 online only. What if you have another cell phone carrier? No worries; the Verizon iPhone 4 will be available at Apple and Verizon retail stores beginning February 10th.  If the customer chooses to either continue their two year Verizon contract or begin a two-year contract with Verizon, he will pay $199.99 for the 16GB iPhone 4 and $299.99 if he desire the 32 GB version. If a customer wishes to buy the iPhone 4 without a cell phone contract, he would pay $650 for the 16GB and $750 for the 32 GB. Now, users may choose for either the AT&T iPhone or the Verizon iPhone. Now, we must examine the why a consumer would wish to choose the Verizon iPhone over the AT&T iPhone.

            For the most part, I am content with my AT&T coverage on my current cell phone. Even so, I have a few pieces of criticism to mention about AT&T’s phone. First, reception is a hit and miss game; especially if you either live or work in an area with several hills. On a few occasions, incoming calls have transferred directly to voicemail. In addition, I have experienced several dropped calls in flat and hill-y areas. My friends with Verizon tend to brag that after 9pm and weekends, coverage is free. This is not the case with my AT&T coverage (especially long distance). Perhaps these are factors as to why an AT&T consumer would wish to switch to Verizon coverage.

            Now, let’s compare the AT&T iPhone 4 to the up-and-coming Verizon iPhone 4. Both iPhones will support the same applications; the same banners features and two cameras for video conferencing. While Verizon utilizes CDMA Technology (Code Division Multiple Access, a cellular technology which employs spread-spectrum technology), AT&T exploits GSM technology (Global System for Mobile Communication, the most common cell phone technology). As far as I know, there are only two downsides to CDMA technology: 1) a user would not be able to call and perform another function (such as checking e-mails) on the iPhone 4 and 2) your Verizon iPhone 4 would not work in much of Europe and South America (these are the main venues for international business travel). Also, the Verizon iPhone 4 utilizes a 3G network, not Verizon’s new 4G LTE network. On the other hand, the Verizon iPhone will include an antenna to prevent reception difficulties. Moreover, the Verizon iPhone 4 will allow you to connect to other wireless devices besides designated Wi-Fi hot spots. Currently, if a user is in a two- year contract with AT&T, AT&T will charge you $325 (basically, $10 a month over two years) to finish the current contract. Here’s a money saver for Verizon users: if a Verizon customer purchased a new Verizon phone between November 26^th, 2010 and January 10, 2011, he is eligible for a $200 Visa gift card if he purchases a Verizon iPhone before February 28th. 

Why would a consumer buy a Verizon iPhone 4 as apposed to an AT&T iPhone 4? The Verizon iPhone 4 will provide the customer with better reception and more wireless options. On the contrary, the consumer would not be to multitask on the Verizon iPhone and would not be able to make calls in Europe or South America. Also, the Verizon iPhone runs on a 3G network, not the 4G that AT&T offers. Even so, would an AT&T customer really wish to pay the $325 fee to break his contract and switch to Verizon? This $325 fee and reception problems seem to be the only two faults of AT&T coverage. In short, each customer has to compare options and choose the coverage that works best for his needs.