Verizon Wants iPhone, Not Until 4G

Verizon Wireless addressed the notion of the iPhone ever coming to its network, saying Apple is willing to work with the carrier under its fourth-generation, or 4G, network, which follows the same technology standard as AT&T's 4G plans.

Verizon's Chief Executive Ivan Seidenberg admitted Apple never seriously considered making a CDMA version of its popular iPhone because it didn't have as wide a distribution opportunity.

Apple, the maker of the popular smartphone, is conducting high-level discussions with the carrier to sell a version of the iPhone that would work on Verizon's network.

The Basking Ridge, N.J.-based carrier plans to test its soon-to-be-built 4G network this year and will roll it out commercially in at least 25 to 30 markets in 2010.

The company will blanket the continental U.S. and Hawaii with the new wireless network by 2015.

AT&T, the only carrier to sell the iPhone in the country, is currently in talks with Apple to extend its exclusive U.S. agreement from 2010 to 2011. That arrangement has lured millions of new customers to AT&T and lifted the company’s revenue in a recession.

The iPhone's touch screen, GPS capabilities and 25,000 or so downloadable applications have made it an instant hit -- energizing rivals who make look-alikes and giving hope to wireless carriers that fretted over where to find growth in a market in which many adults already own a mobile device.