Verizon iPhone Rumors Become Fact

Rumors of a Verizon iPhone have been circulating for four years. This week the rumors became fact as Verizon and Apple jointly announced the coming of the iPhone to Verizon.
The launch of a slightly different iPhone 4, customized for Verizon’s CDMA network, will occur on February 10 in Apple and Verizon stores. Verizon customers can pre-order an iPhone on February 3.
The design of the iPhone 4 for Verizon is slightly different to accommodate the CDMA antenna and lack of a SIM card slot. The CDMA network differs from AT&T’s GSM network in that voice and data cannot be used at the same time. GSM also has faster data speeds and can be used in more countries for those that travel with their iPhone. But CDMA may offer better call reliability.

A new feature of the Verizon iPhone will be the ability to use the phone as a wifi hotspot, giving Internet access through the phone for up to five other devices. This will likely cost extra, similar to AT&T’s iPhone tethering feature.
Verizon will offer reduced pricing for the iPhone 4 with a 2-year contract, just like AT&T. Prices for voice and data plans have not been announced, but are expected to be about the same as with AT&T and Verizon’s current smartphone plans.