Verizon Wireless (VZ) has revealed in a tweet that Windows Phone 7 is coming its way. But the network’s CEO, while sharing insights about Apple (AAPL), didn’t show its hand on when the iPhone is arriving.
“As soon as Microsoft (MSFT) has ’em ready, we’re excited to offer Windows 7 mobile devices,” Verizon tweeted.
Verizon was left out of the line-up earlier this month when Microsoft introduced the new WP7.
Engadget reports that the HTC (HUTC.OB) Trophy will be arriving on Verizon in early 2011. No word on when Sprint (S) gets its piece of the action.
Verizon iPhone still waiting on Apple green light
Verizon CEO, Ivan Seidenberg, told the Wall Street Journal that its move to what it calls 4G with LTE, or Long-Term Evolution, services got Apple’s attention and made possible the iPad deal. But he didn’t offer any hints on when iPhone will be coming to his network as has been widely rumored.
“If the iPhone comes to us, it’s because Apple thinks it’s time,” he said. “Our interests are beginning to come together more, but they have to take steps to align their technology with ours.”
Meanwhile, Verizon execs said consumers with a need for speed on LTE may pay accordingly.
LTE will be available by the end of 2010 in 38 cities. LTE, offering from one to 12 megabits per second, would enable Verizon to offer a tiered service, as now done now with home wired Internet services.
Verizon hasn’t committed to specific rates. “If you want to pay for less speed, you’ll pay for less speed and consume more, or you can pay for high speed and consume less,” said Verizon Chief Financial Officer, Fran Shammo.
In any case, Verizon is expecting to increase revenues as people buy more connected devices.
Seidenberg anticipates the number of data users to increase to three-quarters of its contract customers over the next three to four years from about one quarter now. “By 2016 or 2017, it wouldn’t surprise us if 30 percent of our customers are using a gig a month of data,” he said.
The company will unveil 4G devices at the Consumer Electronics Show in January and plans to offer its first 4G phone in February, well ahead of its schedule.
