"If the press write something long enough, eventually it comes true."

That was the way Verizon CEO Lowell MacAdam chose to announce something everyone within the audience at the firm's press conference in New York already knew – iPhone 4 is coming to Verizon.

Set to launch at on February 10, Verizon's announcement comes on the back of years of speculation within the US press and, by the firm's own admission, talks with Apple that began back in 2008.

However, following prolonged testing iPhone on Verizon's CDMA network (as opposed to AT&T's GSM network), MacAdam said the carrier is now ready to sell iPhone 4 in the US, proclaiming Apple as a giant of the industry. The switch of network technology means it won't work in Europe however, which uses GSM. 

Still, Verizon's iPhone will support a personal Mi-Fi for up to five devices, although this will cost $15 on top of the standard contract. 

Otherwise, the 16GB model will cost $200 on a two year agreement, with the 32GB version being $300.

Enthusiastic Apple

For its part - and no doubt owing much to its experience of selling iPhone on mutilple networks in the same territories around the world - Apple appears to be relishing the chance to reach so far untapped consumers, something previously hampered by its exclusivity deal with AT&T.

"We've built our business on building the very best network, and now our customers have a choice for the iPhone 4 on the nation's most reliable network," Apple COO Tim Cook said at the event.

"We've been working with Verizon for awhile... this is just the beginning of a relationship between Apple and Verizon. I'm very optimistic about what the future holds."

Analysts have already speculated as to just what a deal will Verizon will mean in terms of sales – 2011 estimates of 9 to 12 million standing up against AT&T estimates of 14.5 million for 2010 - as well as the impact it might have on the network's relationship with Android OEMs.

[source: Engadget]