With Verizon’s lack of enthusiasm toward Windows phone, one has to wonder how this will affect Windows Phone overall success. While In Q3 2011, Verizon remained in the top spot with 107.7 million subscribers, edging out AT&T’s 100.7 million. Both saw healthy growth with Verizon adding 1.3 million customers, and AT&T adding 2.1 million. As you can see, AT&T is large enough as a premier partner for Windows Phone to be successful.
We saw this with the iPhone. And yes, I know that at this time, we can’t compare iPhone’s success with where Windows Phone is today. However, we can’t ignore the potential for success. Also, Windows Phone has something that the iPhone does not, which is choice in form factor.
Verizon’s Short Fall
Verizon falls into the minority when it comes to global cellular networks. Of the world’s 30 largest mobile network operators, 26 of them are based on GSM technology. Those 26 carriers total about 4 billion subscribers. If these numbers are close to being correct, then there is still tons of potential conversion growth for Windows Phone. These stats also explain why Microsoft chose to launch Windows Phone on GSM carriers before supporting CDMA.
Verizon’s Snubbing of Windows Phone
In early December 2011, Verizon in their arrogance, demanded that Microsoft show them an LTE timeline that makes sense to continue to be represented on the Verizon network. Well, less than a month later, LTE Windows Phones were announced at CES to be released in the 1st quarter 2012. While this is great news, I don’t think it was in response to Verizon’s demand. However, what the media didn’t cover at CES is how Windows Phone beat the iPhone to the market with LTE phones. Since the launch of Windows Phone, Microsoft has been committed to the user’s best interest regardless of selfish demand for experience dooming specs like LTE and dual-core. And while LTE may be a marketing cash cow for U.S. carriers, the technology hasn’t been adopted by overseas carriers.
Conclusion
So to answer the question, Can Windows Phone be successful without Verizon? Based on the points included above, that answer for me is yes. Windows Phones does not have to outsell Android or iPhone to be a very strong and successful options for consumers. Windows Phone merely has to keep on track with their global push. As I stated above there more than enough available market. With the release of Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango), Windows Phone is now getting high praises from tech bloggers and tech media. Windows Phone’s features set is now on par if not better than that of both Android and iPhone. This coupled with the recent announcement of a very aggressive marketing campaign, the tide should start to turn for Windows Phone. In the end, I believe Verizon will regret snubbing Windows Phone. What do you think?
Source: The Cell Phone Junkie, Wikipedia
