A few hours after Verizon Wireless began taking preorders for its highly anticipated iPhone smartphone last Thursday, the carrier had to stop taking orders because the demand exceeded its allotment of phones. While the company did not divulge how many phones it sold, it was the biggest launch day in Verizon’s history.
Customers still wanting an iPhone on the Verizon network will have to wait until later this week to apply.
“This was an exciting day,” said Dan Mead, president and chief executive officer for Verizon Wireless in a statement. “In just our first two hours, we had already sold more phones than any first day launch in our history.
“And, when you consider these initial orders were placed between the hours of 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., it is an incredible success story. It is gratifying to know that our customers responded so enthusiastically to this exclusive offer—designed to reward them for their loyalty.”
Current Verizon customers under contract must pay for the phone in full retail price. Those who ordered another smartphone within the last two months may apply for a $200 debit card should they want to switch to the iPhone 4.
Verizon’s iPhone will have all of the features of the current iPhone 4 available on AT&T’s network, including the retina display, multitasking, and Face Time video chat. In addition, it will add a mobile Hotspot feature to connect up to five devices wirelessly using the iPhone’s
AT&T, Verizon Jab
However, AT&T isn’t going to sit still while witnessing Verizon’s launch party. In a new commercial featuring a man talking to his wife while making dinner reservations online, AT&T reminded customers that only an iPhone on a GSM network—not CDMA, which is the technology used by Verizon—allows a user to talk and surf the Web at the same time.
But Verizon fired back, in an ad poking fun at AT&T’s supposed network issues, asking the question, “But does your network work?”
Customers Plan to Switch
Verizon has reason to be optimistic. According to a recent survey, more than half of current Verizon Blackberry and Android phone users plan to ditch their devices and switch to the iPhone when it becomes available.
The survey, carried out by uSamp, a technology sampling firm, found that more than a quarter (26 percent) of current AT&T iPhone customers plan to make the carrier jump and switch to Verizon.
The top reason cited by current AT&T customers to switch carriers is dropped calls from 48 percent of respondents, and carrier coverage from 25 percent of respondents.
But CNET’s technology pundit Jessica Dolcourt says there are some drawbacks for the iPhone 4 on Verizon. She pointed out that the phone is not 4G-LTE-compliant, and that since Verizon uses a CDMA network, it does not store phone numbers and other information on a SIM card for easy removal and replacement.
Verizon’s general launch for the iPhone 4 is scheduled to be Feb. 10, when all of the company’s stores will open at 7 a.m. ready to take orders.
Verizon Wireless is a joint venture between Basking Ridge, N.J.-based Verizon Communications and U.K.-based Vodafone Plc.
