‘WSJ’ says Verizon-compatible iPhone to be mass produced by year’s end

“The Wall Street Journal” (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703735804575536191649347572.html?mod=e2tw), citing “people briefed by Apple,” says Apple will begin mass producing a new iPhone before the end of 2010 that will allow Verizon Wireless to sell the smartphone early next year.

The new iPhone would be similar in design to the iPhone 4 currently sold by AT&T but would be based on an alternative wireless technology called CDMA used by Verizon, these people said. Current iPhones only work on GSM networks, including that of the iPhone’s exclusive U.S. carrier, AT&T Inc.

If it actually happened, this would be the first time Apple has produced a version of the iPhone for a CDMA wireless network, which is different from AT&T’s GSM technology. In cellular service there are two main competing network technologies: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Both boast “3G” standards, or 3rd generation technologies.

As noted by “wiseGEEK” (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-gsm-and-cdma.htm), EVDO, also known as CDMA2000, is CDMA’s answer to the need for speed with a downstream rate of about 2 megabits per second, though some reports suggest real world speeds are closer to 300-700 kilobits per second (kbps). This is comparable to basic DSL. As of fall 2005, EVDO is in the process of being deployed. It is not available everywhere and requires a phone that is CDMA2000 ready.

GSM’s answer is EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution), which boasts data rates of up to 384 kbps with real world speeds reported closer to 70-140 kbps. With added technologies still in the works that include UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone Standard) and HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), speeds reportedly increase to about 275 — 380 kbps. This technology is also known as W-CDMA, but is incompatible with CDMA networks.

The “WSJ” is also saying that Apple is developing a new iPhone model, quoting “people briefed on the matter.” One person familiar with the new iPhone plan said the fifth-generation iPhone will be a different form factor from those that are currently available, the article says.