Verizon Says “No” to Apple’s iPhone

According to an article in USA Today Cingular was not the first choice to be the exclusive US service provider for its iPhone. Apple originally approached US’s number two carrier Verizon. However, Verizon did not agree to the strict requirements that Apple demanded. Not only did Apple want a cut of the monthly subscription fees, it wanted to control the relationship with the customer. Apple wanted to restrict the sale of the phone outside of Apple and Verizon stores. Also Apple wanted to control the return policy of iPhones that needed repairs. Verizon however made it clear that it saw no problem with the phone but it could not agree to Apple’s demands not only in terms of customer relations but also financial which they refused to discuss.