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The elusive Verizon iPhone is going to become a reality early next year, according to a chorus of mainstream publications.

Following The Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Bloomberg, now Fortune claims that a Verizon iPhone is “fait accompli” (i.e., a done deal).

Repeating past rumors, Fortune says the new iPhone will be compatible with Verizon’s CDMA network. Fortune notes that globetrotters won’t be able to use the phone outside the United States: Most international networks rely on the GSM standard, so the Verizon iPhone can’t be used as a “world phone.”

Tech observers and analysts have squabbled about a Verizon iPhone for years, and the device appears to be forthcoming. Perhaps the most telling sign was when Verizon announced earlier this month that it would sell Apple’s iPads a move that reveals that Apple and Verizon are finally partners.

Photo of an AT&T-compatible iPhone 4: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

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Apple will begin mass producing a Verizon-compatible iPhone that will debut in early 2011, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

The Verizon iPhone will be similar to the iPhone 4 in design and be based on the CDMA standard used by Verizon, according to WSJ, who cites “people briefed by Apple.”

Apple does not officially comment on product rumors.

WSJ’s latest article is slightly inconsistent with its March report claiming that Apple would begin mass producing a CDMA-compatible iPhone in September. The March report did not suggest a release date for a presumed Verizon iPhone.

Technology observers have learned to take Verizon iPhone rumors with a big grain of salt. Speculation about a Verizon iPhone has run wild ever since the original iPhone’s launch on AT&T. Multiple publications have published rumors claiming different release dates for the fabled device (see part of the list below).

Wired magazine’s Fred Vogelstein published a feature in July illustrating that a Verizon iPhone is stifled by complicated business negotiations, not technical limitations; Steve Jobs has actively considered splitting with AT&T for over a year.

Photo of an AT&T-compatible iPhone 4: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

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ByChris Foresman

Though rumors about the possibility of Apple launching a CDMA-compatible iPhone on Verizon have been picking up steam latelyour own sources have told us that an LTE-capable iPhone hasbeen in testing in Boston for several monthsVerizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg suggested Thursday that itmight not be coming in January as many had hoped.

Speaking at a Goldman Sachs conference in New York, Seidenberg made no mention of an iPhone model being made to work on Verizon’s current EVDO/CDMA network. Instead, he “hoped” that Apple would consider making an iPhone to work with its nascent LTE 4G network.

“We would love to carry [the iPhone] when we get there, but we have to earn it,” Seidenberg told investors. “I think 4G will accelerate the process, and any other decisions Apple makes would be fine with us. Hopefully, at some point Apple will get with the program.”

Those comments may be bad news to thesignificant percentage of current iPhone users locked to AT&T in the US who would likely switch to Verizon if given the chance. Our ownreader survey earlier this year also suggested that there are plenty of existing Verizon customers who would be interested in an iPhone that worked on the largest US network. Though Verizon has been very successful with a strong lineup of Android-powered smartphones from Motorola and HTC, pent-up demand for a CDMA-compatible iPhone definitely exists.

However, other evidence suggests that a CDMA-compatible iPhone is in the works, even if Seidenberg isn’t willing to work with Apple to bring it to his network. Component suppliers havehinted that Apple is prepping to build at least 3 million CDMA iPhones in December, which would track with a manufacturing ramp-up for a rumored January launch.

As mentioned above, we’ve heard through the grapevine that an LTE/CDMA iPhone has been in testing on Verizon’s network in the Boston area, and that the rumored January launch was contingent on Verizon meeting its stated goal of launching its LTE network in 30 major markets by year’s end. If Verizon isn’t on track to meet that goal, it may have resulted in Apple changing its mind. Still, a CDMA-compatible iPhone could launch on other networks, including Sprint in the US, and China Mobile and SK Telecom in Asia.

Whatever the problem is between Verizon and Apple, though, customers certainly don’t carethey just want the popular device to work on their preferred network. It would be beneficial to both Verizon and Apple to work out a deal, and work it out soon, while demand is still high.

Image credit: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

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Following the The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg reports that Verizon is launching an iPhone early next year.

Bloomberg cites multiple anonymous sources who claim Verizon will begin carrying the iPhone in January 2011, ending AT&T’s exclusive partnership with Apple.

Bloomberg’s report follows The Wall Street Journal’s article in May, which claimed that Apple is scheduled to produce CDMA iPhones this September. CDMA is the standard used by Verizon iPhones.

Technology publications and analysts have speculated about a Verizon iPhone for years, but the stipulations of Apple’s exclusive contract with AT&T remain unconfirmed. However, it’s notable that two mainstream news outlets are now claiming a Verizon iPhone is due soon.

In response to Verizon iPhone rumors in May, AT&T said during an investor conference that the company was not intimidated by a Verizon iPhone because discounted family and business plans would make it difficult for subscribers to transition multiple devices to a new carrier.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

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