If you're a Sprint and T-Mobile customer, you may have a pretty good chance at getting the next iphone. According to Chris Larsen, a Piper Jaffray analyst, this adds to the speculation that carriers other than AT&T and Verizon Wireless will get the next iphone. It is also believed that Apple might begin selling the iphone for Sprint later this year as predicted by Citadel analyst Shing Yin last week.
In a research note today, Larsen commented on the fact that while the next-generation iphone's specs and features are currently uncertain, the most noteworthy change could be the device's ability to run on networks such as Sprint and T-Mobile in the U.S. At a time when Google's Android software has pretty much taken over a large slice of the market, a move to all four national carriers would enable Apple to reach the masses. A 30% increase in apples addressable market is highly attainable in this way, Larsen said.
The iphone 5 is rumoured to be a higly universal device. It is being described as a 'global device' said chief financial officer Fran Shammo in april, inadvertently suggesting that Apple will sell one device to both carriers. There are however a few technical difficulties to get past to ensure the phone's compatibility with both Sprint and T-Mobile. "Our belief is that Apple is going to include all the necessary spectrum bands to make one device work on all carriers," Larsen said.
The major winner in all this is Sprint, which would enjoy a lower rate of customer turnover and an increase in growth. T-mobile customers would eventually get the phone seeing as a deal is in the works for the carrier to be acquired by AT&T.
By Radu Tyrsina
Source: cnet
