A report from Global investment banking and securities firm Nomura suggests AT&T will weather a Verizon iPhone just fine. Though AT&T stands to lose millions of customers to Verizon, the wireless carrier is expected to generate revenue from early termination fees that will offset subscriber losses.
The report also suggests the loss of exclusivity with the iPhone may open the door for other handsets to make their way to AT&T. Once AT&T is no longer dependent on the iPhone to bring in new subscribers, it will have to offer other high-end handsets to beef up its portfolio. Android may be bolstered by this move as AT&T only has one flagship Android handset, the Samsung Captivate. The investment firm is so confident in AT&T’s position that it issued a buy rating for the stock and set a $34 projected value for the stock.
This report form Nomura is based on the assumption that the iPhone will land on Verizon in early 2011. While not confirmed by any stretch, rumors seemingly point to an early 2011 announcement and possible launch. The latest rumor suggests the Verizon iPhone may include LTE and will be introduced sometime after Christmas.
This “after christmas” timeframe would fit in nicely with a possible CES announcement or an announcement during an Apple event that may happen at the end of January. This Apple event is in no way confirmed but Apple’s current one-year product cycle points to an iPad 2 event sometime in the end of January. Perhaps Steve Jobs will double our fun by announcing both the iPad 2 and the Verizon iPhone.
[Via Investors Business Daily]