A Wall Street analyst claimed that according to various sources, Apple's tablet product will use Verizon's wireless network to connect to the Internet when users are no longer near a Wi-Fi hotspot.
"The tablet will be supported by multiple [mobile] carriers," said Brian Marshall of BroadPoint AmTech, who cited unnamed sources who stated they were close to the situation. "Verizon and others," he continued. "Definitely Verizon. I've been told that's a certainty."
On the flip side, Richard Doherty, director of technology at the consulting firm Envisioneering Group told the Wall Street Journal that he feels the tablet won't connect to 3G due in part to AT&T's struggles. "We don't think the networks are up to it," he said.
Marshall disputed that. "The tablet will connect to 3G," he said, "not just wireless [hotspots]."
A Verizon spokeswoman declined to respond to Marshall's claim, citing that it was company policy to comment "on rumors or speculation. And we won't do that here."
via ComputerWorld
SpaceTrucker
January 06, 2010 at 11:22pm
There is my main complaint about this device. If it's going to be tied to ANY service provider, I WILL NOT GET ONE! I DO NOT want to be tied to ANY specific provider! Though the way this was stated, it will most likely have a port in which you can put a service providers networking card/usb antenna on it and go with whomever you choose, not just Verizon but also AT&T, T-Mobile, and the rest. This will be billed as a normal laptop, sort of, where you have a choice of carriers you can go with for your iTab and it's main connectivity will be Wi-Fi, (hopefully 802.11n connectivity will be included not just b/g).
We'll know for sure when Steve or one of his employees climb up on stage later this month and tell us all about it...
xzanthan
January 06, 2010 at 6:31pm
I had an unlimited plan with sprint for there wireless internet. They changed the plan and caped it at 5gb per month. I use more than that on my IPhone per month. I will never buy the tablet if it is connected to one of the media controlling elite money changing corporations. I have been watching and hoping for the last year to get one but also watching to see if the Telco's are wrapping there fingers around it.
Still watching.
