Verizon disseminating anti-iPhone tract?
updated 01:10 pm EDT, Mon August 25, 2008
Verizon anti-iPhone tract?
Verizon Wireless is distributing a guide to sales agents in a bid to retain customers tempted by an iPhone 3G, a leak claims. The sheet, labeled "3G iPhone Myths," attempts to challenge key selling points of the iPhone, which in the US is carried only by AT&T. The guide notes, for instance, that AT&T's HSPA (3G) network covers "only 40-50%" of Americans, approximately half the amount handled by Verizon's EVDO Rev. A technology. Similarly, while it is now cheaper to buy the actual iPhone hardware, Verizon observes that the extra $10 per month on data plans from AT&T means that, by the end of a two-year contract, the 3G iPhone ultimately costs more than the original 2.5G model, without even the benefit of text messages.
Verizon further comments that the iPhone cannot do MMS messaging, vocal turn-by-turn navigation, or music downloads via 3G as well as Wi-Fi.
The guide provides a somewhat distorted picture however, as EVDO Rev. A is typically somewhat slower than HSPA, and it is believed that Apple may be able to add turn-by-turn GPS through a software update. Verizon's Premium data plans also include unlimited text messaging, but cost $10 more per month than the new iPhone 3G plans, which have the option of fixed-quantity texting bundles.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2008
Verizon twice coverage?
Is it true that Verizon's EVDO network has twice the coverage of AT&T's 3G HSPA network?