Apple gives away Sprint iPhone plans with hire

Apple in a newly discovered job posting effectively gave away plans to make a Sprint iPhone. A position for a "carrier engineer" is being offered that would work out of Kansas City, Missouri, just a short distance from Sprint's Overland Park, Kansas headquarters. The recruit would be responsible for getting technical certification of devices in an area where Sprint is the only company with a major office.

Its position also supported Verizon's accidental remarks that the next iPhone would go dual-mode, since the engineer would need experience with GSM, EDGE-based 2G, and UMTS-based 3G along with CDMA.

Officially, Sprint has remained shy on the iPhone. It has expressed a desire for one but used the same language Verizon did when it had a deal but was protecting existing sales until the iPhone launch was official. Company chief Dan Hesse has also been particularly vocal about attacking handset exclusives, especially at the recent Senate hearing on AT&T's buyout of T-Mobile, where the iPhone was a frequent center of discussion.

Verizon stressed that its iPhone deal wasn't an exclusive and left the door open, though Sprint didn't come onboard at the same time. It's increasingly believed that Apple has been waiting for the next iPhone's release, likely in September, to add Sprint and T-Mobile. [via Stop it, AT&T]

By Electronista Staff