The Motorola DROID 4 is now available from Verizon Wireless for $199.99 on contract. The sleek QWERTY slider features a 4-inch qHD display, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 4G LTE connectivity, 1GB of RAM and an 8-megapixel rear camera, and it is being billed as the “thinnest and most powerful 4G QWERTY smartphone.” Thanks to upcoming network enhancements, the DROID 4 will also be able to roam overseas, making it Verizon’s first 4G LTE device with global roaming capabilities. The handset is also eligible for double data, offering subscribers 4GB of data each month for $30.

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Vantiv, a provider of mobile payment solutions, announced a new point-of-sale product on Friday that it will be rolling out in partnership with Verizon Wireless. The product, which is currently in field testing, includes custom tailored applications and an Android-based point-of-sale solution for accepting payments. The applications will be available in Verizon’s Private Application Store for Business. “Merchants and consumers are seeking greater mobility, control and timely access to data,” said Bill Weingart, Chief Product Officer of Vantiv. “We’ve teamed with Verizon to combine our payment and security expertise with Verizon’s ability to tailor development of mobile technologies to address those needs.” Verizon Wireless is also a member of ISIS, an initiative in which it has partnered with AT&T and T-Mobile to provide customers with NFC-based mobile payment options. Vantiv’s full press release follows after the break.

 Vantiv Introduces Next Generation Mobile Payment Solution

Teams with Verizon to Develop and Deliver More Flexibility and Opportunity for Merchants to Grow Their Businesses

CINCINNATI, Jan. 31, 2012  — Vantiv, LLC (formerly Fifth Third Processing Solutions, LLC), a leading integrated payment processor, today announced that its customers will be the first to use an innovative point-of-sale device and system that will help merchants more effectively conduct business.

Vantiv is conducting a field trial of a new mobile payment solution developed in collaboration with Verizon. The new solution is architected on the Android operating system and features end-to-end, secure point-of-sale payment capabilities and business applications using Verizon’s Private Application Store for Business. As a result, Vantiv customers can tailor point-of-sale applications to meet their needs while taking advantage of remote device management.

Whether service professionals are meeting with customers at home or sales associates are interacting with visitors at a retail location, the new Vantiv solution is part of Vantiv’s overall strategy to address customers’ growing mobile payment needs.

“Merchants and consumers are seeking greater mobility, control and timely access to data,” said Bill Weingart, Chief Product Officer, Vantiv. “We’ve teamed with Verizon to combine our payment and security expertise with Verizon’s ability to tailor development of mobile technologies to address those needs.”

The Vantiv mobile payment solution serves merchants who require mobility, convenience and security and addresses many business needs through a value-added suite of applications including accounting, payroll, workforce management, loyalty, inventory and customer relationship management (CRM). Having complete business control in a packaged, intuitive and flexible platform is a significant differentiator in the realm of tablets, and allows merchants to conduct data enriched customer interactions and transactions, anytime and anywhere.

JKrete Supply in Mason, Ohio is among the first Vantiv customers to participate in the field trial.

“This technology gives me more flexibility and makes it easier to serve my customers,” said Jay Rhoden, Owner, JKrete Supply. “Having the option of being mobile takes my business to a whole different level. I have everything I need at my fingertips. I can sell my products anywhere I go at any time. Vantiv tailored this product to meet my needs; it is clear they listened to customer demand.”

“Verizon, through our Private Application Store for Business, is leading the charge to work with innovative companies to develop industry-specific mobile solutions,” said Chandan Sharma, Vice President and Global Managing Director of Verizon’s financial services practice. “The ability to customize enterprise tablets and applications has been characterized as a potential ‘game changer,’ and we look forward to working with Vantiv and its customers to advance the playing field for mobile commerce.”

The capabilities were featured in a Tab Times article “The 10 most important tablet trends, products, and stories at CES 2012.”

For more information on Vantiv and to view more information on the Vantiv mobile payment solution visit us at www.vantiv.com .

Verizon, AT&T and any other LTE providers currently rely on 3G networks to carry voice phone calls. In the future, carriers hope to use voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) technology, and Qualcomm recently reached an important milestone on the road to making VoLTE a reality. Qualcomm announced on Thursday that the company had successfully completed the “first voice call handover from an LTE mobile network to a WCDMA network using Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC).” The company, while working with Ericsson, used its own MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 chipset to power the test hardware, and the technology will be demonstrated live at this month’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Read on for Qualcomm’s press release.

Qualcomm Chipset Powers First Successful VoIP-over-LTE Call with Single Radio Voice Call Continuity Successful Completion of a Voice Call Handover from LTE to WCDMA Network Marks Key Milestone in Development of VoLTE

SAN DIEGO – February 02, 2012 – Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that the Company, working with Ericsson, has successfully completed the first voice call handover from an LTE mobile network to a WCDMA network using Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC). An important technology required for voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) support, SRVCC is a 3GPP specified feature that enables continuity of service by seamlessly switching to a WCDMA network when a consumer on a VoLTE call leaves the LTE network’s coverage area. This milestone occurred on December 23, 2011 with an Ericsson network using a handset which incorporated Qualcomm’s Snapdragon™ S4 MSM8960 3G/LTE multimode processor. A demonstration will be available at Qualcomm’s booth at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain February 27 – March 1, 2012.

“As LTE networks are deployed alongside 3G networks, the ability for multimode 3G/LTE mobile devices to connect to different network technologies will be an important part of providing the best possible mobile voice and data experience to consumers,” said Cristiano Amon, senior vice president of product management, Qualcomm. “Qualcomm is committed to the successful deployment of LTE networks worldwide in conjunction with 3G networks, and the milestone we’ve achieved with Ericsson is another step towards making VoLTE technology a commercial reality.”

SRVCC is the next logical step in the 4G LTE voice roadmap following the commercial launch of circuit-switched fallback technology (CSFB) on smartphones in 2011. CSFB allows a single radio in the handset to dynamically switch from an LTE data connection to a 3G connection when the user needs to make or receive a call. Similarly, SRVCC support enables a single radio in the handset to execute a seamless handover of a voice call from an LTE network to a 3G network. Furthermore, SRVCC and CSFB allow both LTE and 3G network connections to be supported on a single chip, eliminating the need for smartphones to use separate LTE and 3G radios and modems. This allows OEMs to design handsets with lower power consumption and component costs and a smaller size. Given that 3G networks will continue to be deployed in conjunction with LTE networks for quite some time, SRVCC and CSFB are essential to provide a seamless voice experience to customers using LTE multimode handsets once VoLTE is commercially deployed. Qualcomm is committed to ensuring the best voice performance to users in LTE networks through industry-leading CSFB and SRVCC technologies.

Verizon Wireless and Motorola unveiled the DROID 4 at last month’s Consumer Electronics Show, but the handset never formally received a release date. A new rumor from Droid-Life points to a launch next week on February 9th, however. The newest DROID will reportedly launch at $199.99 with a new two-year agreement — a price that matches a recently leaked MAP list and what we were told by a Verizon representative. The smartphone features a 4-inch qHD display, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, an 8-megapixel camera, 4G LTE connectivity and a five-row QWERTY keyboard. Thanks to upcoming network enhancements, the DROID 4 will also be able to roam overseas, making it Verizon’s first 4G LTE device with global roaming capabilities.

UPDATE: According to leaked Verizon equipment guide obtained by Droid-Life, the device is now rumored to launch on February 10th. The date coincides with the release of Star Wars Episode One in 3D.

Read [February 9th] Read [February 10th]

Speaking during a UBS conference in December, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam said the company may roll out shared data plans in 2012. According to an unnamed source, the shared data packages could become available soon, reports Engadget. A family plan currently requires each smartphone to purchase a different data plan, but the new plans could allow all family members to share a single pool of data similar to how a they currently share voice minutes. The image above is said to show training materials that contain a new section labeled “account level data plans.” The section reportedly depicts an account-level charge for data allowance and a $9.99 charge per line.

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Verizon released the DROID RAZR MAXX on Thursday for $299.99 with a new two-year agreement. The device features a massive 3,300 mAh battery and a slightly thicker frame than its predecessor, the DROID RAZR. Other than that, the handsets are identical. Droid-Life confirmed on Friday that both devices run the same exact software, in fact — the Android version on both devices features the same build number, same kernel and same baseband version. We have seen similar products in the past (DROID 2 and DROID R2D2), but they all carried slightly different software versions to accommodate various changes. With the DROID RAZR and DROID RAZR MAXX however, it looks like everything is interchangeable, so savvy users already have a wide range custom ROMs to choose from.

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Verizon plans to launch the DROID 4 for $199.99 on contract, according to a recent MAP list obtained by Droid-Life. The pricing shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, however — we were told as much by a Verizon representative when the device was unveiled at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. Verizon has been known to launch 4G LTE devices at $299.99, however, the recently launched LG Spectrum debuted at the lower $199.99 price point as well. The DROID 4 packs a roomy 5-row keyboard and measures just half an inch thick. The smartphone features a 4-inch qHD display, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, an 8-megapixel camera and 4G LTE connectivity. Thanks to upcoming network enhancements, the DROID 4 will also be able to roam overseas, making it Verizon’s first 4G LTE device to do so. Verizon has not yet announced a release date for the handset.

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RadioShack is looking to launch a new price-matching program for smartphones on January 29th, according to Sprintfeed. The “Mobile Low Price Guarantee” program will give RadioShack employees the ability to match smartphone prices advertised by competing retailers. Similar programs have already been in place at retailers such as Target, Walmart and Best Buy. With more users turning to smartphones each year, a price-matching program will only benefit the consumer. RadioShack currently carries smartphones for AT&T, Sprint and Verizon Wireless. 

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Verizon on Tuesday reported its fourth quarter 2011 results. The company noted record revenue growth during the quarter, which it said was fueled by strong demand for wireless service. Revenue for the year totaled $110.9 billion, up 4% from 2010. Its quarterly revenue of $28.4 billion was up 7.7% from the same time period last year. Verizon Wireless, a joint venture between Verizon Communications and Vodafone, reported the highest number of retail net additions in three years driven by smartphone sales. Revenues tipped at $18.3 billion during the quarter, up 13% from the same period last year. Data revenues was up even higher year over year, at $6.3 billion, up 19.2% ($1 billion) from the same period one year prior. ARPU grew 2.6% to $53.14. Verizon also reported $0.85 EPS, down from $0.90 EPS in 2010. The carrier added a total of 1 million total net connections during the fourth quarter and 1.5 million retail customers, including 1.2 million retail postpaid customers. Postpaid churn was 0.94% for the quarter. Verizon’s full press release follows after the break.

Verizon Reports Record Revenue Growth in 4Q, Fueled by Strong Demand for Wireless, FiOS and Strategic Services

Verizon Generates Strong Cash Flows, 18.2 Percent Shareholder Returns in 2011; 4Q Earnings Impacted by Non-Cash Pension Items

 4Q 2011 HIGHLIGHTS

Consolidated

·         7.7 percent year-over-year quarterly revenue growth in 4Q, a company record.

·         A loss of 71 cents in diluted earnings per share (EPS), impacted by non-cash pension items, compared with earnings of 93 cents per share in 4Q 2010.

·         52 cents per share in adjusted EPS (non-GAAP), which excludes $1.23 per share in non-operational items, compared with 54 cents in adjusted EPS in 4Q 2010.

 

Wireless

·         $18.3 billion in total 4Q revenues, up 13.0 percent year over year; data revenues of $6.3 billion, up 19.2 percent, representing 41.6 percent of service revenues; $15.1 billion in service revenues, up 6.4 percent.

·         1.5 million retail net additions (excluding acquisitions and adjustments), largest increase in three years, includes 1.2 million retail postpaid net customer additions; 108.7 million total connections, includes 92.2 million retail customers.

·         2.6 percent growth in retail service ARPU over 4Q 2010; retail postpaid data ARPU up 14.3 percent.

·         23.7 percent operating income margin; 42.2 percent Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP).

 

Wireline

·         201,000 FiOS Internet and 194,000 FiOS Video net additions, with increased sales penetration for both products; net increase of 98,000 broadband connections from 3Q 2011.

·         8.5 percent year-over-year increase in consumer ARPU; FiOS ARPU was more than $148 per month.

·         14.7 percent increase in strategic services revenues, representing 51 percent of global enterprise revenues.

·         3.0 percent operating income margin; 23.8 percent Segment EBITDA margin (non-GAAP), compared with 23.5 percent in 4Q 2010 and 21.4 percent in 3Q 2011.

 

NEW YORK – Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) posted the highest year-over-year quarterly revenue growth in the company’s 11-year history in fourth-quarter 2011, fueled by continued strong demand for Verizon Wireless services and handsets, FiOS fiber-optic services, and strategic business products and services.

 

‘Great Momentum for 2012’

 

“Verizon finished 2011 very strong, both in terms of revenue growth and by delivering an 18.2 percent total return to our shareholders for the full year, and the company has great momentum for 2012,” said Lowell McAdam, Verizon chairman, president and chief executive officer.  “Verizon Wireless produced particularly strong growth in the fourth quarter.  While that diluted wireless margins in the short term, it is good news for revenue and margin growth over the long term, particularly given our leadership in the rapidly developing 4G LTE ecosystem.”

 

McAdam added: “Wireline margins recovered from third-quarter pressures, and we expect wireline margin expansion in 2012.  With recent strategic moves and our investments in FiOS, LTE, and global IP and cloud-based strategic services, Verizon has set the stage for accelerated growth across our business units, and we look to continue to build significant value for shareholders in 2012.”

 

Verizon’s total shareholder return is a combination of stock-price appreciation and dividend payments.  Regarding recent strategic moves, Verizon last month strengthened its ability to provide fully integrated solutions by creating Verizon Enterprise Solutions, a sales and marketing organization, to harness all of Verizon’s solutions for business and government customers globally.  In addition, Verizon Wireless announced agreements to purchase AWS (Advanced Wireless Spectrum) licenses, an important step toward meeting customers’ needs for wireless data and broadband services.

 

4Q and Full-Year Earnings Results

 

Due primarily to the impact of previously announced non-cash pension items, Verizon reported a loss of 71 cents in EPS in fourth-quarter 2011, compared with earnings of 93 cents per share in fourth-quarter 2010.

 

Adjusted fourth-quarter 2011 earnings (non-GAAP) of 52 cents per share exclude $1.20 per share, or $3.4 billion after-tax, due to the actuarial valuation of Verizon’s benefit plans, and 3 cents per share for the early extinguishment of debt.  This annual valuation adjustment, resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions, is in accordance with a Verizon accounting policy adopted last year.  Comparable adjusted fourth-quarter 2010 earnings were 54 cents per share, excluding the impact of non-operational items, the largest of which was a gain from benefit-plan valuation of 44 cents per share.

 

On an annual basis, Verizon reported 85 cents in 2011 EPS, compared with 90 cents per share in 2010.  Adjusted annual EPS (non-GAAP) was $2.15 in 2011, compared with $2.08 on a comparable basis (non-GAAP, excluding results from divested businesses) in 2010.

 

Consolidated Revenue Growth, Strong Cash Flows

 

In fourth-quarter 2011, Verizon’s total operating revenues were $28.4 billion on a consolidated basis, an increase of 7.7 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2010.  For full-year 2011, revenues totaled $110.9 billion, a 4.0 percent increase compared with 2010, when results included revenues from operations that have since been divested.  On a comparable basis (non-GAAP), Verizon’s 2011 full-year revenues increased 6.2 percent compared with 2010.

 

Consolidated EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) totaled $29.4 billion in 2011.  On an adjusted basis (non-GAAP), EBITDA increased by more than $950 million in 2011 compared with 2010.

 

Cash flow from operating activities totaled $29.8 billion in 2011, and capital expenditures totaled $16.2 billion.  Free cash flow (non-GAAP, cash flow from operations less capex) was more than $13.5 billion in 2011.  From this total, Verizon returned $5.6 billion in quarterly dividends to shareholders in 2011, as the company’s Board of Directors approved a fifth consecutive year of dividend increases.

 

Verizon Wireless Delivers Strong Customer and Revenue Growth

 

In fourth-quarter 2011, Verizon Wireless delivered the highest number of retail net additions in three years and strong growth in revenues, driven by increased smartphone penetration and increased retail postpaid ARPU (average monthly service revenue per user).

 

Wireless Financial Highlights

·         Total revenues were $18.3 billion in fourth-quarter 2011, up 13.0 percent year over year.  Data revenues were $6.3 billion, up more than $1.0 billion or 19.2 percent year over year, and represented 41.6 percent of all service revenues.  Service revenues were $15.1 billion, up 6.4 percent year over year.  For full-year 2011, total revenues were $70.2 billion, up 10.6 percent over full-year 2010, and service revenues were $59.2 billion in 2011, up 6.3 percent year over year.

·         Retail service ARPU grew 2.6 percent over fourth-quarter 2010, to $53.14.  Retail postpaid ARPU grew 2.5 percent, to $54.80.  Retail postpaid data ARPU increased to $22.76, up 14.3 percent year over year.

·         In fourth-quarter 2011, wireless operating income margin was 23.7 percent, and wireless generated $6.4 billion of EBITDA.  Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP) was 42.2 percent, down 530 basis points from fourth-quarter 2010.  For full-year 2011, operating income margin was 26.4 percent, down 310 basis points from full-year 2010; Segment EBITDA margin was 44.8 percent, down 210 basis points.

 

Wireless Operational Highlights

·         Verizon Wireless added 1.0 million total net connections in fourth-quarter 2011.  The company added 1.5 million retail customers, including 1.2 million retail postpaid customers.  While the wholesale channel grew during the fourth quarter, a loss of telematics customers resulted in a net decrease of 490,000 wholesale and other connections in the quarter.  These totals exclude acquisitions and adjustments.

·         At year-end 2011, the company had 108.7 million total connections, a 6.3 percent increase year over year, consisting of 92.2 million retail connections and 16.5 million wholesale and other connections.

·         At year-end 2011, smartphones accounted for 44 percent of the Verizon Wireless retail postpaid customer phone base, up from 39 percent at the end of third-quarter 2011.

·         Retail postpaid churn was 0.94 percent in fourth-quarter 2011, an improvement of 7 basis points year over year.  Total retail churn was 1.23 percent, an improvement of 14 basis points year over year.

·         Verizon Wireless continued to roll out its 4G LTE mobile broadband network, the largest 4G LTE network in the U.S.  As of Monday (Jan. 23), Verizon Wireless 4G LTE service was available to more than 200 million people in 195 markets across the U.S.

·         Verizon Wireless introduced six new 4G LTE devices in fourth-quarter 2011: the Droid Razr by Motorola; the Samsung Stratosphere; the HTC Rezound; the Galaxy Nexus by Samsung; and Droid Xyboard tablets in 10.1-inch and 8-inch form factors.  Earlier this month, the company announced that six additional 4G LTE devices would be available in the coming weeks, including two mobile hotspots, now called Jetpacks, from ZTE and Novatel; three smartphones – the Droid 4 and Droid Razr Maxx from Motorola, and the Spectrum from LG, which launched last week; and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7.

·         In December, Verizon Wireless announced agreements to purchase AWS licenses from SpectrumCo – a joint venture of Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House Networks – and from Cox TMI Wireless.  The spectrum licenses under the two agreements cover 93 percent of the U.S. population, and the purchases are subject to regulatory approval.

·         Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network was ranked No. 1 on PC World’s 100 Best Products of 2011 list.  In October, RootMetrics ranked Verizon Wireless tops for network performance in Boston and 21 other cities nationwide; in November, Verizon Wireless won the RootMetrics RootScore award for data performance in 36 markets.

 

FiOS, Strategic Services Contribute to Revenue Growth

 

In fourth-quarter 2011, revenues and customers continued to increase for FiOS services, and sales of strategic services to business customers remained strong.  Segment EBITDA margins (non-GAAP) also increased both sequentially and year over year.

 

Wireline Financial Highlights

·         Fourth-quarter 2011 operating revenues were $10.1 billion, a decline of 1.5 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2010.  Consumer revenues grew 1.3 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2010.

·         In fourth-quarter 2011, wireline operating income was $300 million, up 18.6 percent from fourth-quarter 2010.  Segment EBITDA (non-GAAP) was $2.4 billion in fourth-quarter 2011, flat compared with fourth-quarter 2010 and an increase of $243 million from third-quarter 2011, when the Segment EBITDA was impacted by storm-related repair costs and a two-week strike.  Operating income margin was 3.0 percent in fourth-quarter 2011.  Segment EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 23.8 percent, compared with 23.5 percent in fourth-quarter 2010 and 21.4 percent in third-quarter 2011.

·         Consumer ARPU for wireline services was $96.43 in fourth-quarter 2011, up 8.5 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2010.  ARPU for FiOS customers totaled more than $148 in fourth-quarter 2011, rising approximately $2 year over year.  FiOS services to consumer retail customers represented 61 percent of consumer wireline revenues in fourth-quarter 2011.

·         Global enterprise revenues totaled $3.9 billion in the quarter, up 1.3 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2010.  Sales of strategic services – including Terremark cloud services, security and IT solutions, and strategic networking – increased 14.7 percent compared with fourth-quarter 2010 and represented 51 percent of global enterprise revenues in fourth-quarter 2011.

 

Wireline Operational Highlights

·         Verizon added 201,000 net new FiOS Internet connections and 194,000 net new FiOS Video connections in fourth-quarter 2011.  Verizon had a total of 4.8 million FiOS Internet and 4.2 million FiOS Video connections at year-end.

·         FiOS penetration (subscribers as a percentage of potential subscribers) continued to increase.  FiOS Internet penetration was 35.5 percent at year-end 2011, compared with 31.9 percent at year-end 2010.  In the same periods, FiOS Video penetration was 31.5 percent, compared with 28.0 percent, respectively.  The FiOS network passed 16.5 million premises at year-end 2011, up more than 900,000 from year-end 2010.

·         Broadband connections totaled 8.7 million at year-end 2011, a 3.3 percent year-over-year increase.  FiOS Internet connections more than offset a decrease in DSL-based HSI connections, resulting in a net increase of 98,000 broadband connections from third-quarter 2011.  Total voice connections, which measures FiOS Digital Voice connections in addition to traditional switched access lines, declined 7.2 percent to 24.1 million – the smallest year-over-year decline since first-quarter 2006.

·         Verizon continued to enhance its global portfolio of secure IT and advanced communications platforms and industry-focused solutions.  In fourth-quarter 2011, this included an expansion of the company’s Voice-over-IP service within the Asia-Pacific region and the rollout of an automated healthcare fraud-detection platform for private health insurers and government agencies.

·         Multinational corporations, leading businesses and government agencies – including Accenture plc; Chrysler Group LLC; the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; GXS Inc.; MagnaCare Holdings Inc.; Tyson Foods Inc.; Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc.; and Orange and Rockland Utilities Inc., a Con Edison subsidiary – completed new agreements or expanded their relationships with Verizon for a range of advanced communications and information technology solutions.  Verizon also announced that it had been named a prime contractor under the U.S. General Services Administration’s CONNECTIONS II contract to provide professional and managed services and custom networking solutions at federal facilities.

·         Verizon continued to broaden the scope and capabilities of its network infrastructure.  In fourth-quarter 2011, the company completed deployment of its next-generation 100 gigabit-per-second network route between New York City and Chicago and kicked off seven additional routes in the U.S.; expanded the Ethernet footprint to an additional 80 nodes supporting 23 areas in the Eastern part of the U.S.; expanded the global Private IP network into six additional countries in Africa and two more countries in the Middle East; and activated the first phase of the Europe India Gateway (EIG) submarine cable connecting Europe to the Middle East and Africa with 40G high-speed connections.

Consumer Intelligence Research Partners released a report on Monday revealing new details about iPhone users. Among those surveyed as part of the firm’s study, 21% of iPhone 4S buyers bought the 64GB model and 36% of new iPhone buyers came from another platform such as Android, BlackBerry or Windows Phone. The research firm previously found that 18% of buyers who bought the iPhone 4S at launch came from another platform. Online purchases of the device represented 43% of Apple’s total handset sales during the iPhone 4S launch, dropping to 33% by the of 2011. The survey also found that AT&T, Verizon and Sprint have all maintained steady market shares regarding iPhone ownership, however, and the device has apparently helped each carrier take customers from other carriers that do not carry the iPhone, such as T-Mobile. CIRP surveyed over 6,000 customers who bought an iPhone between October and December last year.

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Your prayers have been answered if you’ve been looking for a 4G LTE without having to empty out your wallet. Verizon’s first 4G LTE phone, the HTC ThunderBolt, is now free with a two-year contract through January 26th. The ThunnderBolt was first announced last year during the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show and it’s a bit slower than the high-end smartphones on the market today. It offers a 1 GHz Snapdragon chip instead of the dual-core 1.4GHz processor that’s included in top-of-the-line Android devices. However, it’s also equipped with an 8-megapixel camera, a 4.3-inch display with an 800 x 480-pixel resolution and more. With Mobile World Congress right around the corner it’s tough to commit to a two-year contract with a year-old smartphone, but users on a budget might be happy to forgo the bells and whistles in an effort to save a little cash.

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Verizon Wireless is kicking off 2012 by flipping the LTE switch in five new markets and expanding in three current markets. On Thursday, January 19th, the company will turn on its 4G LTE network in Glens Falls and Utica, NY; Lawton, OK; and Brownsville and McAllen, TX. Verizon will also be expanding its network in Atlanta, Houston and Spokane. “As we enter 2012, Verizon’s 4G LTE network remains the largest by far in the United States, and we continue to grow the network and bring Verizon’s unparalleled 4G LTE services to more and more people,” said Verizon’s chief technical officer David Small. Verizon’s 4G LTE network now covers more than 200 million people in 195 different markets. Read on for the carrier’s press release.

Verizon Continues To Grow Its 4G LTE Network, Launching Service In Five New Markets And Expanding In Three Others On Jan. 19 

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Verizon Wireless, owner of the nation’s fastest 4G network, is kicking off 2012 by turning on 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) in five new markets and expanding the network in three others on Jan. 19. The continued growth of the 4G LTE network represents Verizon’s commitment to strengthening and enhancing the network and delivering the highest performance and reliability for its customers.

Following the launches on Jan. 19, more than 200 million people in 195 markets across the United States can take advantage of the blazingly fast speeds offered by Verizon’s 4G LTE network. Customers can choose from a wide variety of 4G LTE devices, including the Spectrum™ by LG, available starting tomorrow. The Spectrum by LG was one of six new 4G LTE devices announced at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). From the expanded 4G LTE DROID family, to the new Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 7.7 and the Verizon Jetpacks™, Verizon Wireless now offers something for everyone on its 4G LTE network.

On Thursday, Jan. 19, the company will turn on its 4G LTE network in Glens Falls and Utica, N.Y.; Lawton, Okla.; and Brownsville and McAllen, Texas. The company is also expanding its network on Jan. 19 in Atlanta, Houston and Spokane, Wash.

“As we enter 2012, Verizon’s 4G LTE network remains the largest by far in the United States, and we continue to grow the network and bring Verizon’s unparalleled 4G LTE services to more and more people,” said David Small, chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless.

4G LTE Speed and Coverage

In real-world, fully loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. When customers travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area, devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. Verizon Wireless’ 3G network is the most reliable high-speed data network in the country and allows customers in 3G coverage areas who purchase 4G LTE devices today to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds when the faster network becomes available in their area, or when they travel to an area already covered by 4G LTE.

Verizon announced on Tuesday that the Motorola DROID RAZR, which originally launched a few months back for $299.99, is now available for $199.99 with a new two-year contract. The DROID RAZR is equipped with a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, support for Verizon’s 4G LTE network, 16GB of storage, an 8-megapixel camera capable of recording 1080p HD video and more. The slim smartphone will also become available in new white or purple color options on January 23rd. Verizon’s full press release follows after the break.

DROID RAZR™ By Motorola Now Available For $199.99 Online On The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Network 

Customer Inquiries

The DROID RAZR™ by Motorola in Black is now available online atwww.verizonwireless.com for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. Equipped with 16 GB on-board memory, the DROID RAZR is 7.1 mm thin, made with KEVLAR® fiber for strength and Corning® Gorilla® Glass for scratch resistance. DROID RAZR customers can expect to rip through the Web at blazing speeds with a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor and Verizon Wireless 4G LTE. Verizon Wireless leads the way in 4G with the fastest and most reliable 4G network in the United States, covering more than 200 million people in 190 markets.

Additional features:

• Powered by Android™ 2.3.5 Gingerbread, upgradable to Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p HD video capture and image stabilization technology for crisp and clear videos
• Front-facing HD camera for video chat over 4G LTE, 3G or Wi-Fi
• 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot capable – customers can share 4G LTE speed with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices
• Remote wipe, pin lock and government-grade encryption for email, calendar and contacts, as well as voice and video chat conferencing
• 16 GB on-board memory
• microSD™ card slot with support for up to 32 GB memory card

The DROID RAZR in White and Purple will be also available for $199.99 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online atwww.verizonwireless.com on Jan. 23.

Customers that purchase a DROID RAZR will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data. For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Google’s flagship device, the Galaxy Nexus, has been widely acclaimed and we had great things to say in our review of the world’s first Ice Cream Sandwich phone. The device is fast, responsive, and Android 4.0 is the most polished version of Android yet. Numerous users are reporting a bug that randomly reboots their devices, however, and the exact cause of the issue is unclear at this time. The majority of these reports come from owners of the GSM version, although Verizon’s CDMA model isn’t immune immune to the problem. The issue is widespread, with users suffering reboots while streaming music, playing games or even while the device is idle. Additionally, affected customers are reporting that the reboots seem to occur more frequently as time progresses. Google has indicated that the company aware of the problem and is investigating it.

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Earlier this week at the Consumer Electronics Show, Motorola and Verizon Wireless announced the DROID RAZR MAXX. The device featured the same specs as the previous RAZR with the addition of a massive 3,300 mAh battery, adding 21 hours of usage time on a single charge. When questioned about availability, both companies merely said the device would be released within the “coming weeks.” Consumers may not have to wait long, however, as Motorola’s landing page list the phones release as January 26th. The Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX will cost $299.99 with a new two-year agreement, and be sure to check out our recent hands-on.

[Via Droid-Life]

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