Apple’s decision to go with AT&T as the sole carrier for the newly-introduced iPad had some wondering about the months of on-again, off-again talks between the Cupertino, Calif. company and Verizon Wireless. Although still talking about a deal, turns out, the CDMA carrier was more interested in snagging a contract for an upcoming iPhone.
“According to sources at Verizon, the company is more interested in the lucrative iPhone contracts,” Fox News reported Wednesday. The carrier says its still interested in supporting the iPad, as well.
Many accounts point to AT&T’s no-contract low bid on an iPad data plan as the reason why the solo arrangement. However, this latest report suggests Verizon’s network push toward a next-generation LTE technology may have not been ready. Once Verizon makes the move, “it would make a lot more sense for Apple to partner,” said analyst Michael Gartenberg.
According to Fox, AT&T’s pricing beat out other GSM players, including Sprint and T-Mobile. While AT&T was mum on its competition for the iPad halo, a spokesperson remarked: “pricing speaks for itself.”