Apple Readying CDMA iPhone For Verizon: Report

March 29, 2010, 08:05 PM EDT

Apple has released new versions of its iPhone every summer since the iPhone was first introduced in 2007.

However, a new version of the iPhone appears to feature CDMA cellular technology, which in the U.S. is supported primarily by Verizon and Sprint PCS, The Wall Street Journal on Monday reported. AT&T currently has an exclusive contract to sell the Apple iPhone in many countries including in the U.S., when it runs on AT&T's GSM technology.

Apple has long been expected to end its exclusive iPhone contract with AT&T, a move which many in the industry expect to result in a significant increase in iPhone sales.

AT&T itself last fall brushed off concerns about its exclusive iPhone deal with Apple, saying that such a move would have little impact on its business and that its technology would continue to give it the advantage over rivals.

Two different Taiwan-based contract manufacturers are separately preparing to manufacture the two different iPhone models, the Journal reported.

They include Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., the current manufacturer of iPhones for AT&T, and Pegatron Technology Corp., a subsidiary of ASUSTeK Computer Inc., which supposedly is making the CDMA version.

The CDMA iPhone is expected to be produced starting September, but no release date has been mentioned, the Journal reported.

Joseph F. Kovar

Joseph F. Kovar is a senior editor and reporter for the storage and the non-tech-focused channel beats for CRN. He keeps readers abreast of the latest issues related to such areas as data life-cycle, business continuity and disaster recovery, and data centers, along with related services and software, while highlighting some of the key trends that impact the IT channel overall. He can be reached at jkovar@thechannelcompany.com.