Verizon on iPhone Launch

Verizon today announced that its retail stores would remain open until 9PM on Friday, attempting to draw customers away from the high-profile launch of the iPhone. Some of the carrier's phone features may lure customers away, the company claims. The company pays particular attention to cost and notes that many of its phones cost $100 or less, including some music-capable versions.

"Customers can select a mobile phone that fits their style, their mood and best of all, their wallet," Verizon says.

The company's campaign also highlights several of the company's media-friendly services in a further attempt to stem sales of the Apple device, including its V CAST direct-download music store, Internet streaming music and video, as well as the V CAST TV digital broadcast TV service for some areas. A deal is on tap that offers the ">LG VX9400 TV phone with a 2GB memory card and a stereo headset for $100 as part of a two-year contract, though the company declined to say whether the promotion was created specifically in response to the iPhone.

The marketing effort reinforces earlier statements by Verizon, which claimed recently that there was no need for an ultra-desirable device such as the iPhone to counter AT&T's expected success. Existing features would be enough, the company said at the time.

By Electronista Staff