Until recently, Verizon Wireless was the undisputed leader of the U.S. wireless industry. While AT&T (T) claimed more subscribers, Verizon Wireless came out ahead on virtually every other important yardstick of wireless company performance—including revenue, profit margins, network reliability, and customer-service rankings.
Then came the iPhone. Dallas-based AT&T signed on as the exclusive carrier of Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone in the U.S., mounting an impressive counterattack that has knocked Verizon Wireless back on its heels. Thanks largely to the iPhone, in the past 12 months alone AT&T has attracted 9.2 million new subscribers, nearly 40% more than the 6.6 million lured by Verizon Wireless, which is owned by Verizon Communications (VZ) and Vodafone (VOD).
Now, Verizon Wireless is firing back—with the BlackBerry Storm, the first-ever touchscreen phone from Canadian smartphone maker Research In Motion (RIMM). On Oct. 8, Verizon Wireless and RIM said that beginning in November, the device will be available exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers in the U.S. and to Vodafone customers in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Verizon Wireless will be the exclusive Storm carrier for as long as the device is sold, the companies said. Read more...
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