Verizon

When in doubt, sell 3G data contracts and the money will roll in. According to Engadget, wireless carrier Verizon is encouraging its staffers to tell customers to purchase the WiFi-only version of the iPad and pair it up with a device like the MiFi rather than shelling out $130 more for integrated AT&T 3G and 30 days until the device launches.

Verizon has followed this up by calling its biggest competitor's 3G network "overloaded" even though there's currently a 5GB limit of data on a Verizon MiFi plan which will run users $60 a month, twice as much as AT&T will be charging for its dedicated, unlimited iPad plan.

AT&T and Apple's restrictions on VoIP over 3G has been lifted for a while now, but Skype has yet to update their app for either Push Notifications or calling over the 3G network. Following their recent announcement of an "always-on app" for Blackberry and Andriod on Verizon, it seems as if they may have been holding out on us for the sake of a deal with Verizon.

Credit Suisse analyst Jonathan Chaplin issued a downgrade for Verizon's stock prices this morning based on the assumption that they are unlikely to get the iPhone this year. There have been a lot of people hoping to see a Verizon iPhone, but it now looks increasingly unlikely after the announcement that the iPad would be on AT&T's 3G network instead of Verizon's.

The hopes of Verizon fans ( or more likely, those jaded by AT&T ) got a boost when rumors started circulating about the iPad being released on Verizon's data network, but it never came true. Now some believe Verizon did once stand a chance, but were simply outbid by AT&T by agreeing to Apple's $30/month unlimited and $15/month 250MB plans, where Verizon usually charges twice as much for similar plans. Still, despite losing the iPad, Verizon is still said to still be in talks with Apple, and they hope to have both the iPhone and iPad some time by mid 2010. When they were asked, Verizon rep Jeff Nelson refused to comment on behalf of the company.

We're just hours away from Apple's press event where we're expecting to see Apple unveil something incredible. Most signs point to a tablet, but we're also expecting them to unveil some new iPhone software. It's also possible that we'll see a Verizon announcement, and even iLife 2010.

We'll be covering the event live using Cover It Live below as well as from our Twitter stream. Live coverage will begin a few minutes before the event. If you'd like to access our coverage from your iPhone, save this address.

We've just received word from a good source that Verizon is informing regional reps that the iPhone will be available on Verizon this June. It's very likely that, if true, the deal will be announced during Apple's event tomorrow. Additionally, our source claims that the Verizon iPhone would be 4G in select markets.

Apple's media event starts tomorrow at 10AM Pacific at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.

Talk of a Verizon iPhone settled down in recent months, but Peter Misek is re-igniting the fire, predicting that it is a likely announcement for the coming Apple media event. The Canaccord Adams analyst says that it will likely be alongside an introduction to iPhone OS 4.0 at the event scheduled to take place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Steve is known for his signature "One more thing..." announcements, often saving some of the most impressive or surprising announcements for last, and Misek believes his next one will be a Verizon iPhone, according to intel from "industry sources".

According to a report from UBS Investment Research analyst Maynard J. Um, Apple and Verizon are currently in talks about a Verizon iPhone launch in the summer of 2010, but are in disagreement over pricing. Rumors of negotiations have been floating around since last fall, but many are still skeptical that Apple would make a CDMA-enabled handset. According to Mr. Um, it's true, but pricing is still being negotiated.

Verizon, the largest wireless provider in the U.S., is reportedly investing in its network to make it capable of handling extra traffic from Apple's iPhone, a company official said. Recently, Anthony Melone, Verizon Wireless' chief technology officer, said his company is prepared if Apple decides to end its exclusive agreement with AT&T in 2010.

"We have put things in place already," Melone reportedly said. "We are prepared to support that traffic."
The company official did not, however, comment on the prospect of the iPhone becoming available on Verizon.

In the latest research note from Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, he makes note of fellow analyst Chris Larsen's prediction that there is a 70% chance of the iPhone reaching Verizon. Sillicon Alley Insider notes several factors that bode well for a Verizon iPhone.