Verizon iPhone, some things to consider

One of the major components of Internet Radio technology is the impact that smartphones has had on the industry.  The combination of mobile apps and the ability for users to take their favorite radio stations and streams with them anywhere they can access a cell phone signal has revolutionized what is possible for Internet Radio.

With that in mind, I have been watching very closely the build-up and subsequent fall-out from the announcement that iPhones will be available through Verizon in the U.S. starting in February. There are somethings that standout to me from the announcement, and it seems others are starting to notice it as well.  Here are my concerns/observations:

• Verizon customers better enjoy your unlimited data plans while you can. iPhone data usage is going to bog your network down, a lot.  Verizon will have no choice but to follow AT&T's lead and implement a cap on their data plans.  Users can only hope they can grandfather in to an unlimited plan, like AT&T allowed us to do.
• Likewise, the much-touted Verizon network is going to get a serious strain test through iPhone usage.  The fact that it is a CDMA network, which does not allow simultaneous voice and data usage, might help a little, but I don't see it being enough.  
• If you rush out an buy iPhone 4 right now, you will be sorry.  Apple releases a new iPhone every summer in June and the rumors are flying about what is in store for iPhone 5.  There is talk of Apple doing away with the home button and replacing it with a bigger screen that has multi-touch capabilities.  Tech-bloggers are pointing to clues in the beta release of iOS 4.3 as evidence of this.  There is also talk of iPhone 5 having a multi-core processor and a Qualcomm chip that enables both CDMA and GSM use.  That means, Verizon users shouldn't have to wait for iPhone 5 when it is released, they can jump on when everyone else does.
• If you are switching to Verizon from AT&T mid-contract, it is going to cost you a pretty penny.  The early-termination fees are going to be pretty high, depending on how far you are into your contract.  When you add in the cost of the phone itself, plus all of the other fees associated with a new contract at Verizon, you are looking at a pretty significant investment.  
• The AT&T network might actually run a bit better, with reduced usage as customers jump-ship to Verizon.  This also coincides with AT&T's push to shore up their network, and make a concerted effort to launch a 4G network.
• As evidence, AT&T is considering allowing a feature to iPhones on their network that probably wouldn't have happened prior to a Verizon iPhone:  personal WiFi hotspots.  The latest announcement from AT&T is that they are "looking in" to allowing iPhone users to use their phones as a personal WiFi hotspot, using the 3G network signal to create a small, personal WiFi hotspot that users can use to access the internet on other devices.  This comes on the heels of Verizon announcing that iPhone 4 users will be able to do this on their network.  This is something I have been wishing for for quite some time in my iPhone.  There are of course going to be concerns, among those battery life and fees associated with the service.  However, this move tells me that AT&T is either about to make their network much more reliable, or they are certain that those jumping ship will do it for them.

I am not the only one preaching this, Consumer Reports is also wary of iPhone 4 on Verizon, suggesting that consumers wait until June when the new iPhone is released.  Consider this from Top Tech Reviews:

Consumer Reports gave the iPhone 4 the highest ratings last summer but now it warns the consumers to wait before buying the Verizon version. It doubts that Verizon can back its claim of unlimited data contracts.

In a blog posting, Consumer Reports state that the Verizon iPhone 4 looks promising but its glitter can be short-lived. Apple is said to be releasing the iPhone 5 for GSM/UMTS networks this summer. This is just six months after the launch of the Verizon iPhone 4.

Consumer Reports lambast the Verizon iPhone 4 being 3G when carriers, including Verizon, are already launching their 4G networks. Verizon did roll out its 4G LTE data network last December but the coverage is limited and not usable for voice calls.

The Verizon iPhone 4 can’t use data and voice at the same time because the CDMA network doesn’t allow this function at present. Global roaming is also non-existent. The iPhone 4 comes with a 3.5 inch screen. Consumer Reports state that Verizon has two Android models with four inch or larger screens.

There’s also the question as to what Verizon’s data package would be. As stated in their iPhone FAQ, iPhonecustomers have to choose from any of the present nationwide plans. Customers are required to activate a data package and the pricing will be announced in the future. That’s a big question mark on how much iPhone 4 users must pay for their data.

 So, my suggestion is for users to hold their horses on a Verizon iPhone until the new iPhone 5 is released.  This way, you can get the latest technology from Cupertino, in the shortest amount of time and for the least amount of money.