Last weekend, the big news was that Verizon is holding a special media event tomorrow in New York. Rumor has it, the event will (finally) be about the long-awaited Verizon iPhone. After years of speculation and rumors from major publications such as the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, it looks like the announcement is happening and the device is going on sale in the first week of February.
Over the weekend, further hints to the device have surfaced online. SAI reports of AT&T public relations head Larry Solomon “attacking” the rumored CDMA iPhone saying that Apple’s phone is built for speed, and that’s not what you get with CDMA:
The iPhone is built for speed, but that’s not what you get with a CDMA phone. I’m not sure iPhone users are ready for life in the slow lane.”
He says AT&T’s GSM technology is faster than Verizon’s CDMA technology.
We hope Mr. Solomon won’t get fired over this statement. Currently, iPhone users on AT&T can rely on the 7.2Mbps HSPA 3G connection provided by the carrier. While Electronista points out to a tweet from “Verizon reseller and insider black_man_x” who says a device of “vital importance for our portfolio” will soon be announced, the most interesting tidbit comes, again, from the WSJ, which claims Verizon Wireless will offer unlimited plans for new iPhone owners:
Verizon Wireless, the country’s largest wireless carrier, is confident enough in its network that it will offer unlimited data-use plans when it starts selling the iPhone around the end of this month, a person familiar with the matter said. Such plans would provide a key means of distinguishing its service from rival AT&T Inc., which limits how much Internet data such as videos and photos its customers may use each month.
Last, we’ve heard from a reliable source that US Apple Store employees had staff meetings last night to discuss Verizon iPhone activations. The training is required as Verizon has a different activation system, and employees need to get ready for customers visiting the Store asking for device activation.
Verizon’s media event will take place tomorrow, January 11, at 11 AM EST.
