Will the iPhone Expanding to Verizon Effect Mobile Marketing at All?
For months, rumors have been running wild about the Apple iPhone debuting on the Verizon network. Back in October, sources from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, albeit anonymous, reported that it could all happen as soon as early 2011. While nothing has been confirmed, observers are taking these rumors quite serious and are already discussing the potential implications. Some are even talking about what, if any impact it could have on mobile marketing.
New Opportunities in Mobile
One of the biggest knocks on the iPhone has been its network, which is currently provided by AT&T, the device's primary carrier in the United States. For the most part, each generation of the iPhone has been praised for its innovative features, rich web surfing capabilities, and ability to support a broad range of dynamic applications. Unfortunately, simple functions such as staying online and actually holding a complete phone conversation are among the many complaints from consumers. The fact that the iPhone could benefit from a better network is part of the reason
rumors of an imminent partnership with Verizon refuse to die.
As the number one wireless network, Verizon would seemingly be a perfect fit for the Apple iPhone. While he would not feed into the rumors of a possible partnership, Verizon executive director of corporate communications Jeffrey Nelson stated that the company's network was tried and proven, hinting that it could fully support Apple's resource demanding smartphone. If Apple were to switch carriers, it could make mobile marketing far more efficient as the iPhone is currently the target of a large number of mobile campaigns. Assuming consumers would have to worry less up performance issues, marketers would have the opportunity to launch campaigns that make a much greater impact.
Competition Factor
Some analysts are predicting that Google's Android operating system will eventually enable the devices it supports to win the smartphone race. Whether or not this is true, the iPhone running on the Verizon network could be good news for the mobile marketing industry based on the factor of competition alone. This partnership might not only force Google's carriers to step up their game, but other telecommunications companies and smartphone makers as well. Competition often brings good things, and in this case, it could greatly benefit consumers and the marketers that are trying to engage them via the mobile platform.
Conclusion
The rumors continue to swirl, and the signs are there, with the biggest one being an announcement in the tech community claiming that Verizon would start selling the Apple iPad. However, no officials from either side have confirmed the upcoming launch of a Verizon iPhone next year, or at any time for that matter. It will be interesting to see how everything plays out, because if the rumors lead to something real, it could mean very exciting times in mobile marketing.
