Staying on cue with their attacks on AT&T’s network, Verizon Wireless Chief Technology Officer Anthony Melone recently spoke to BusinessWeek about upgrades that the company is making in preparation for the iPhone moving over. While we don’t know if the work they’re doing is more extensive than what AT&T did to prepare for the iPhone, Verizon is sending a clear message that they’re being proactive about making sure their network can handle the traffic — basically, that they’re not asleep at the wheel like a certain other wireless provider.
Says Melone, “We have put things in place already. We are prepared to support that traffic.”
He also points to Verizon’s dedication to investing in their mobile infrastructure. The company spent $19 billion on the network over the last three years, and also picked up Alltell for $27 billion in January 2009 — a move which gave Verizon coverage in Southeast and Western states.
Verizon is also dedicating to troubleshooting their networks shortcomings. They have 100 vehicles with technicians that drive around the country, look for weak spots, and also compare their coverage to their competitors. This was the actual origin of the “Can you hear me now?” commercials that everyone is just about tired of. Despite becoming annoying, those commercials were pretty successful initially.
All of this, and Verizon doesn’t even know when the iPhone is coming, if at all.
[Source: BusinessWeek]
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December 20th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Nice, maybe Verizon will be in line to get the 4G iPhone? I was with Verizon for a number of years and really liked their service and coverage, but I defected solely for the iPhone. If they get the 4G I will come right back to Verizon.
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:50 am
one theory is that Verizon may forgo the iPhone until they get their next-gen network in place. I can't foresee them actually waiting that long though.
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:58 am
I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for Verizon to get the iPhone! My contract with AT&T is up and I didn’t upgrade to 3GS because I don’t want to be locked in when Verizon FINALLY gets the iPhone. I don’t care if it is just comparable to the 3GS, I’d switch for coverage alone. There are three mile-long spots on I-94 between my house and Minneapolis (45 mile trip) with NO coverage, all I see is “Searching…” C’mon man! You can’t even cover the Interstate? If the iPhone Verizon gets is an improvement over the 3GS, I foresee mass defection to Verizon.