Verizon Looks For Opportunities With Apple iPhone

Verizon recently publicized a discussion between Lowell McAdam, president and CEO of the company, and Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs and senior Apple executives, about wireless devices, according to Reuters.

Although Verizon won't reveal details of the talk, or what devices they talked about, the media has surmised Verizon wants to carry an iPhone on its network. Apple's deal with AT&T runs into 2010.

Making a deal with Verizon would expand Apple's market reach, said one analyst.

"It makes sense for Apple to spread the love to Verizon and it makes sense for Verizon to have iPhone and it makes sense for AT&T to make sure that doesn't happen," Roger Entner, the head of telecom research at Nielsen, told Reuters. "The winner is Apple either way," he said.

Verizon was also involved in more public speculation about the mobile device distribution.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Verizon and Microsoft were reportedly in discussion to launch a cell phone to compete with Apple's iPhone, according to the newspaper.

However, a spokesperson for Microsoft denied the reports. In any case, Verizon appears to be aggressively looking for new markets. The question is what they will get.