A recent survey found that of current Verizon smartphone users, 66% of BlackBerry and 44% of Android owners plan to switch to the iPhone. Given that Verizon has the largest subscriber base in the US, that’s a LOT of smartphone defections. Is this a devastating body blow or a knockout punch to those respective smartphone platforms? Only time will tell, but I must say I was shocked when I read the article reporting the survey.
Almost as impressive (at least for Verizon) is that the same research firm also concluded that 26% of current AT&T iPhone users will switch to Verizon. That’s a non-trivial number of subscribers jumping ship for Verizon. I expect that percentage to be higher in the areas most notorious for poor AT&T iPhone service, such as New York and San Francisco. I myself don’t plan on switching because I’m happy with AT&T’s service in my area and the ability to talk and use the data features of the phone at the same time is important to me. I wonder how many AT&T users realize that Verizon’s network does not support this ability? AT&T sure is trying to make sure people are aware of this with their latest series of commercials.
Regarding the respective wireless networks, the article does touch upon the question of whether Verizon’s network will be able to handle the crushing load all those shiny new iPhones will place upon it. Either Verizon will be able to boast about its superior network, or AT&T will be vindicated for its perceived service issues. Also interesting to watch will be if AT&T’s network will improve if a quarter of iPhone users switch to Verizon.
A thought just came to my mind. I wonder which provider Apple executives will use for their iPhones? Does anyone have any insight to Apple’s corporate cell phone policies?
