Barclays Capital said the long-circulating rumors that Apple is preparing for an iPhone launch through Verizon will likely materialize in early 2011.
The rumblings are strong enough that Barclays is including the addition of Verizon Wireless as an iPhone carrier in its financial forecasts for next year.
The Wall Street firm doesn’t expect an immediate seismic change in the market as “the bulk of subs are likely remain [with AT&T] due to switching costs,” for users bound to extended contracts with AT&T, the current exclusive carrier for the iPhone. Verizon is expected to see 9 million iPhone activations in 2011 compared to 6 million for AT&T. This compares to 10 million iPhone activations for AT&T expected in 2010.
Barclay’s raised its expectations for iPhone activations in the current second quarter due to the high level of iPhone 4 preorders, it said.
Source: Barclays Capital
iPhone Goes to Verizon in Early 2011: Barclays
