According to USA Today, if you want an iPhone you'll be signing up with AT&T Wireless. At least for the next five years.
"AT&T has exclusive U.S. distribution rights for five years ? an eternity in the go-go cellphone world," wrote Leslie Cauley in an article posted to usatoday.com late Monday night. "And Apple is barred for that time from developing a version of the iPhone for CDMA wireless networks."
It's the last part of that quote that really interests me - barring Apple from developing a CDMA iPhone means that Verizon and Sprint are going to have to turn elsewhere for a killer next-gen device to compete with Apple's super-hyped cellie. Don't worry, though - Verizon COO Denny Strigi says they already are.
"Given Apple's cultlike following, however, Verizon isn't taking any chances," Cauley writes. "Strigl says Verizon is already working with a manufacturer ? he declines to say which one ? on an answer to the iPhone."
"'We do have a very good response in the mill,' he says. 'You'll see that from us in the late summer.'"
Good stuff. Like it or hate it, iPhone will be good for the mobile phone industry in the US because it will spur competition. As interest as I am in trying iPhone out, now I'm wondering what Verizon's got up their sleeves. Something from Samsung? LG? We'll find out soon enough ... should be a long, hot summer in mobile phone land.
