After pondering for over a year, Apple is now ready to make CDMA version of iPhone specifically for Verizon Wireless in US. Since three years Apple-AT&T together have been offering iPhone devices in US and other countries. But with the rise of Android based smartphones, Apple has finally decided to take this step of introducing CDMA networks supporting iPhone device. The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple would order mass production of iPhone CDMA version by the end of this year.
Apple has held hand of AT&T for nearly three years and on the other hand BlackBerry as well as Android have been gaining market share over Verizon’s network. AT&T has observed mixed reactions from consumers and wanted to sell more BlackBerry and Android devices. However the fear of losing exclusivity made that decision take back seat. Apple on the other hand was aware of Verizon’s limitation with current generation CDMA networks – voice calls and data connectivity doesn’t happen simultaneously on CDMA network. On the other hand GSM networks do allow that functionality. Hence Verizon will upgrade their networks with a stopgap technology before the Long-Term Evolution or LTE roll out.
As rumored several times earlier, Apple’s CDMA iPhone would be developed by Pegatron Technology. The CDMA iPhone is touted to be released by second half of next year. Untill then, it’s worth watching what Verizon will do to improve their CDMA network.
