Edible Apple

Yet another iPhone/Verizon opinion to add to the collection.

Barclays Capital analyst James Ratcliffe writes:

Channel checks by our communications equipment and semiconductor research partners give us greater confidence that Verizon will get an iPhone in early 2011, and we are now incorporating that belief into our models for AT&T and Verizon.

And while AT&T’s handling of the iPhone has been less than stellar, Ratcliffe doesn’t belive that the iPhone on Verizon will result in a mass exodus from Ma Bell.

… we believe that smartphone customers are relatively sticky, particularly given that (a) 70% of AT&T postpaid customers are on family plans (which would necessitate a group switch), (b) switching cost for customers currently in contract would be $375-525 per handset, (c) approximately 40% of handsets are covered under corporate discount arrangements, many of which may not have VZ equivalents, (d) for many, if not most iPhone customers, the service quality being delivered on the AT&T network is in reality comparable to what they’d receive on Verizon’s network, and (e) switching will likely result in accepting a bandwidth-capped data offering, since (we believe) that Verizon is likely to launch tiered bandwidth pricing prior to the launch of an iPhone.

Meanwhile, other analyts anticipate an iPhone/Verizon deal crystallizing in November of this year, just in time for the holiday shopping season.

via All Things D