New Zealand's Telecom says it's in talks with Apple
Much like rumored negotiations in the U.S. with Verizon, Telecom reportedly says it's in "deep discussions" with Apple on being New Zealand's second iPhone carrier.
New Zealand cell phone carrier Telecom on Wednesday unveiled its new lineup of phones, and while the iPhone wasn't among the offerings, the company did have news about a possible iPhone release.
Telecom's Alan Gourdie said the carrier is in "discussions--deep discussions--with Apple," according to the country's National Business Review. While Gourdie's comments don't guarantee Apple will sign on a second carrier in New Zealand, the negotiations echo what's been happening in the U.S.
Speculation that Apple will open up AT&T's exclusivity deal in the U.S. has been gaining momentum over the past few weeks, as reports of talks between Apple and Verizon spread. Of course, nobody expects Apple to make a CDMA-based iPhone--Verizon's current network configuration--but an iPhone based on the 4G network is a possibility.
Verizon's 4G network will use a technology called LTE, or Long Term Evolution, which is the same technology that AT&T is using for its next-generation network. If Apple did decide to go with a second network in the U.S., it could easily add Verizon without having to make another model phone.
Apple has not commented on a possible deal with Verizon, but during the company's most recent earnings conference call, Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook said AT&T was the "best wireless provider in the US" and that Apple does "not have plans to change it."
However, not planning to change having AT&T as a wireless partner certainly doesn't mean that Apple will not add another carrier like Verizon.