Verizon Wireless currently testing Apple iPads

By on Jun 2, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Breaking June 2, 2010

ipad-3g

According to a highly placed source of ours, Verizon Wireless is currently testing Apple iPad devices on their network. We have been told that the model they are testing is a CDMA-compatible device, and while our source mentioned LTE in some capacity (possibly another model), we haven’t been able to independently confirm that part of it. It would appear like the gates of heaven have opened, as we’re probably going to see not only an iPhone but also iPad on Verizon very soon, huh?

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  • BOB

    iPad is being tested on the wifi hotspot the new up and coming droid will offer. currently any ipad will work with the mifi or palm pre plus mobile hotspot. cheers

  • Jon

    this is interesting

  • WindozeKiller

    It would be a good “first step” for Apple to offer iPads on Verizon. Hopefully, for consumers, there would finally be a price war for mobile data plans.

    Don’t hold your breath waiting for an iPhone, though. The CDMA technology is incapable of allowing the user to surf the Internet while talking on the phone, and there is NO WAY Apple would take a step backward like that. “Look at our cool new iPhone! It does less than the old one!”

    Not.
    Gonna.
    Happen.

    • Mark

      To WindozeKiller:
      Apple wouldn’t take a step back? do you mean like releasing a product that can’t send picture messages?

      HTC Incredible … talk and web browse at the same time… but seriously… you actually talk on your phone… you must be what.. 50 yrs old?

    • John Thacker

      “The CDMA technology is incapable of allowing the user to surf the Internet while talking on the phone,”

      It is, however, easily possible to access data via LTE while using the CDMA2000 air interface for voice. That’s what Sprint is doing on the HTC Evo 4G, and that’s why I could believe that Verizon will launch a iPhone/iPad once LTE gets started up. After all, Verizon will need to have CDMA2000 chipsets in all their devices after LTE launches, for the same reason that AT&T needs 2G GSM/EDGE chipsets in all their phone now. Initial Verizon LTE area will be limited, just as AT&T’s 3G area is limited now.

      • Patrick Moto Droid

        This could explain the service issue I had the other day with my Droid saying it was on extended network (data) when I wasn’t.Unrelated to the iPad, but if they are tinkering with the towers then maybe

      • Tool

        Or maybe the drood is half cooked, at best….

    • Azeron

      CDMA is capable of voice and data simultaneously…just not that which Verizon is currently using. The Rev B upgrade would do it or even SVDO. Of course, Verizon is not going down that evolutionary path so…

    • Celz

      Apple will do whatever makes the most money in the long run.. Period.. Apple will sell you a rotary dial iphone if its makes them wealthier and more powerful..

      The iPhone is reaching complete saturation on AT&t. Once the potential profits for a VZW iPhone reaches a greater number than whatever penalties or negative effects from breaking the AT&T contract plus manufacturing a CDMA iPhone you WILL see one. You can bet your life on that.

  • Confucious

    Sam:
    when I say antiquated I mean it has run it’s cycle. Verizon is going to have to build a new independent LTE network with completely new technology. Devices won’t be backwards compatible with CDMA and the coverage for LTe devices with be terrible. For that reason, Verizon isn’t investing anything else in CDMA technology. So the antiquated (as admitted by verizon building lte and abandoning CDMA) technology is not going to be supported by Apple.
    AT&T, however, will be backwards compatible with LTE so customer will have LTE, 3G and EDGE coverage. The experience will be so much better for AT&T customers in this next generation as opposed to Verizon customers. Apple has done their research, knows this, and is hitching it’s wagon to the wave of the future, not the past. It’s not emotion, it’s fact.

    • John Thacker

      “Devices won’t be backwards compatible with CDMA and the coverage for LTe devices with be terrible..
      AT&T, however, will be backwards compatible with LTE so customer will have LTE, 3G and EDGE coverage”

      Nope, very wrong. I’ve read the LTE specs, have you? There’s a ton of things in there about CDMA2000 backwards compatibility in there– putting them in was part of the price of Verizon abandoning Qualcomm’s UMB and supporting LTE.

      That’s from a network level, though; LTE is very different at the air interface level, and devices will require a second antenna in order to support EITHER of GSM/W-CDMA (AT&T) and CDMA2000 (Verizon) in addition to LTE. LTE is backwards compatible in exactly the same ways (network) with CDMA2000 and W-CDMA, and not backwards compatible in exactly the same ways (needing a second chipset).

      • elandrum

        You need to do some more research about LTE being backwards compatible with LTE you are missing a few things. Try some GSM websites for a change. Verizon chose LTE because of their partners Vodafone being GSM and making for an easier global roaming capability.

  • bayportbob

    unless you are running Verizon, and this is new information, this is at odds with what Verizon has said about LTE. It will be backward compatible on new handsets with CDMA, because it has to be until the entire network has been upgraded, which will not be in 2011. don’t mention it.

    • Reggie S

      the LTE protocol cannot be backwards compatible to CDMA. period. LTE is GSM based. CDMA is CDMA.

      Dual protocol handsets will be just that. They will have multiple antennae to handle the multiple protocols. (Battery drain!!)

      Of course I could be wrong….

      • jonno

        And you kinda are. There have already been tests done to make sure LTE can perform a hand-off to CDMA. These tests were actually done before the tests for GSM/W-CDMA handoffs, if I recall correctly. As stated by a previous poster, though, to the best of my knowledge the devices (in both GSM and CDMA) may require a separate antenna in order to perform voice calls as, to this point, LTE is a DATA ONLY protocol (I haven’t checked to see if that has been worked through as of yet).

  • Gregg Thurman

    When are people going to get it through their thick heads that Apple has no interest in diminishing the iPhone/iPad experience on a CDMA network, it’s 3G speed is slower than ATT’s GSM network (and can’t be upgraded to faster speeds) and is incapable of simultaneous voice/data.
    You’ll get an iPhone, but only after Verizon completes it’s upgrade to LTE (2012?).

    • bayportbob

      but this article is about the iPad and not the iPhone.

    • John Thacker

      “it’s 3G speed is slower than ATT’s GSM network (and can’t be upgraded to faster speeds)”

      Incorrect. It probably *won’t be* upgraded to faster speeds, but it *could be* upgraded to EVDO Rev. B.

      Just like AT&T has gone back and forth about whether they would upgrade to HSPA+. Currently it’s “will,” since LTE seems to be delayed.

    • Patrick Moto Droid

      and by then the game will be over and everyone on VZW will have a Droid or a Blackberry and locked into new 2yr contracts. And they will be better (Droid at least, waiting to see if BB gets off their ass. And their will be other tablets too so seems to me that if Apple wants in, now is the better time. In 2 years Android will have reached maturity and seeing as it already has more features than iPhone, well you get the drift…

  • LazyStarGazer

    VZW is spending a lot of money upgrading to LTE. How will they recoup these costs?
    Maybe if they offer some new devices, like an ipad and/or iPhone ?

    Also, didn’t vzw announce recently that they will have android tablets available in the next year or something?
    I think apple would want to get their foot in the door sooner rather than later.

    • mosdef

      actually LTE costs 1/6 the cost of CDMA Rev.A. Since the year 2000 Verizon has put 5.6 Billion into expanding it’s Network alone but building towers and routing stations. Qualcomm’s technology is very expensive and Verizon is trying to step away from that. With cheaper/better technology, as a business model it makes sense to go with choice. For the people complaining about backwards compatibility, it’s the way of the world my friends. It’s called evolving. When Verizon switched to digital from analog it was a transition that happened over several years. And a small group of people were upset when the analog signal went off air because they don’t like change and didn’t want to change with the technology. Claiming their Motorola Startec can never replaced by a better device. But eventually all the crying was over and now we are moving into the next generation cellular technology. Yes AT&T has more tiers of coverage ie. 2G, EDGE, 3G and soon working on another level HSPA before even fully rolling out LTE. To me that’s something the customer will eventually grow tired of their phone switching through 4 different signals of speed. So YES Verizon will have to put in CDMA chips in any phone that has LTE until CDMA can be phased as with analog signals. People will complain about adapting as always because their ol’ trusty LG 8300 is the best phone in the world to them but all that will slowly as well. With 2 chips you will be able to surf and talk at the same time. To be honestIy will probably never have the desire to do so. To each their own.
      As far everyone going iPhone this iPhone that. Eventually it’s gonna be so overblown people will start to notice it is not the end all be all of phones. Especially the way it is locked down by Apple. In the next few years it will be interesting to see how phone advance past the iPhone. HTC has really shown it’s muscle with the Incredible and EVO 4G. I am a fan of both Apple and HTC’s Droid lineup. But HTC may have the upper hand on this due to multiple models across multiple carriers. Listening to their customers and working close with Google and Carriers to provide more streamlined OS experience with multiple upgrades in hardware and software vs. Apple’s annual OS and Hardware upgrade. Regardless of who you’re loyal to you have admit these next few years will indeed be the most interesting years of wireless communication.

    • mosdef

      actually LTE costs 1/6 the cost of CDMA Rev.A. Since the year 2000 Verizon has put 5.6 Billion into expanding it’s Network alone but building towers and routing stations. Qualcomm’s technology is very expensive and Verizon is trying to step away from that. With cheaper/better technology, as a business model it makes sense to go with their own.
      As far everyone going iPhone this iPhone that. Eventually it’s gonna be so overblown people will start to notice it is not the end all be all of phones. Especially the way it is locked down by Apple. In the next few years it will be interesting to see how phone advance past the iPhone. HTC has really shown it’s muscle with the Incredible and EVO 4G. I am a fan of both Apple and HTC’s Droid lineup. But HTC may have the upper hand on this due to multiple models across multiple carriers. Listening to their customers and working close with Google and Carriers to provide more streamlined OS experience with multiple upgrades in hardware and software vs. Apple’s annual OS and Hardware upgrade. Regardless of who you’re loyal to you have admit these next few years will indeed be the most interesting years of wireless communication.

      • notrevo

        Actually Verizon has spent around 5.6 billion per year on their network since 2000.

  • Reggie S

    Although I am not a vzw fanboy, I can see the sense of an iPad on their data network if it were last year. Making a CDMA device now really doesnt make sense seeing as how Verizon is pushing hard and heavy to release their LTE network to the masses.

    Testing the device against a “mi-fi” device, and tout the benefits of it as Sprint recently did, is a good move on their part. What price point are they planning on selling that service at anyway? I don’t think there is enough data on iPad usage yet to get a good feel for how much users will be doing.

    • Walt French

      “Making a CDMA device now really doesnt make sense seeing as how Verizon is pushing hard and heavy to release their LTE network…”

      Only if it lets Apple sell a slug of ‘em this year and next, and those sales prevent sales from going to Android.

      “2012” is so… 2012.

  • neo

    VZW is getting the Ipad not the Iphone.

  • Matt

    Umm yea, Actually, I have the HTC TP2 and that is on CDMA. I can talk on the phone while surfing the internet. For those who believe you can’t, remove head from sphinter then type…

  • Buffy Karacho

    I can tether with my Evo (free, no sprint extra charge) at 5Gmpbs to the iPad for no charge who needs Verizon. As a matter of fact with a 4.3″ screen, 4G data, flash, 2 cameras, removable memory and battery who needs an iFad?

  • Sage

    Why wouldn’t apple want to make a CDMA iPhone? they would get to sell all those devices a second time!

  • rob

    is tired of hearing that current GSM networks will be more “backwards compatible” than CDMA ones with LTE. LTE is a completely different beast all together when it comes to network technology. AT&T has to go through as much legwork as Verizon to update their network to LTE. Also, Verizon already has dual mode CDMA/ GSM chipset phones and they do great. It would make complete sense for Apple to want to cash in now with a CDMA/ LTE backward compatible device- be it iPhone or iPad. Face it, manufacturers depend on your hot new phone today being old news tomorrow. That’s how they make $$ and let’s not forget that that’s objective #1. Even for Apple who’d love to sell you an AT&T iPhone today and a Verizon one tomorrow. Think about it. It makes even more sense to release a 3G iPhone now on VZW and a 3G/4G one in a year from now for VZW. The more units they sell to those on the bleeding edge the better for AAPL

    • DOGIEFRESH 3G

      That’s true VZW has GSM/CDMA handsets that can operate in both networks but they’re not backward compatible, the same exact thing will happen with LTE/CDMA, remember UMTS share the same core of CDMA2000 and we yet to see seamless call between those two……!!!!

  • Chris

    The reason apple will not release a CDMA for money is because the iPhone has made a good name so far so until AT&T and vzw are on the same or very similar network, they don’t want to ruin it. People won’t say my verizon or my AT&T iPhone sucks. They will say my iPhone sucks. The geeky or aware people will distinguish but they are not concerned about that. Verizon could possibly be the one holding it back though, they like their logo on everything and we know apple won’t allow that. Lastly but not least, verizon cranks out android devices like no other and has a few of them exclusive, don’t you think htc and or motorola contracted with them or even google like for that tablet next year. If they were smart they would because then none of those devices would sell or sell as much if an iPhone hit verizon tmrw.

  • Dogfather

    If android is so much better than the iphone why all the fanboys get completly crazy on any comments about a posible iphone on VZ, seriously if big red doesn’t get the iphone soon all those fanboys dbags will never move on and have a life….!!!!

  • Jim

    Whatever, just make it happen Vzw and fast!

  • Joe Joe

    Just so everyone knows, AT&T has iPhone rights until 2012, so Verizon will not get the iPhone till after that. Also, if you go to BGR.com AT&T has the fastest network available. And for all you Verizon people that think their Droid is superior to the iPhone, just remember if it wasn’t for Apple’s genius, your little Droid and PC toys wouldn’t exist!

  • MQGeek

    The cake is a lie.

  • DaronW

    All I can say is thank god. ATT’s service sucks.

  • izzle

    i hate how people are still ranting and raving saying the same things about the iphone on vzw in every article… this isn’t even an iphone post and you idiots are talking about iphone’s. your opinions aren’t backed by facts so why don’t you all just wait and see whether any of this stuff happens…. sheezus

    • Bozman

      Who wants an iPhone now anyways with so many other great devices.. we’re not in 2008-2009 anymore

  • http://whatusk.wordpress.com Bill

    AT&T secretly wants Verizon to have the iPhone to take pressure off the over burdened voice network while they regroup. Read more: bit.ly/a0K7lv

  • Jon

    Didn’t Verizon come out like last week and say that the iPhone will not be on their network anytime in the near future? It would be awesome though if the iPhone was available on all networks.

  • Jeff

    After today’s disappointment I’m calling shenanigans!

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