Analyst report: Why Verizon wants to sell the iPhone
Let's say straight out, this is just the opinion of one analyst, and the opinion is based on sales data assumptions that might or might not be accurate. Still, it's an interesting report, and it might help explain why Verizon, which originally rejected the iPhone, wants it back.
Horace Dedlu over at Asymco says basically that Verizon is having a rough time with smartphones. He cites three issues that are making life difficult for the big V.
The iPhone has stolen its growth
It's facing the prospect of a single OS platform supplier
Android is not competitive vs. iOS
The report, citing sales estimates, says that while Verizon has been growing sales of smartphones, AT&T has been outpacing Verizon by significant numbers. While Verizon increased sales from 2.7 million units in Q1, the iPhone at AT&T went from 2.7 million to 5.7 units in the same time period.
Dedlu also speaks to the iPhone as it compares to Google's Android systems. Comparing Q3 sales, he notes that the iPhone outsold Android by a factor of 2.5.
Of course, these numbers are US only, and by most comparisons, Android phones are doing quite nicely. Dedlu believes Verizon is looking at the numbers, and with BlackBerry sales in decline, he believes the iPhone is a must have. He estimates Verizon will sell about 4 million iPhones every quarter.
The complete report is worth a look, even with all the caveats.
We'll know if the iPhone is coming to Verizon late this year or early next. For those who hate AT&T, it won't be any too soon.
