As stated above, its failure to establish a contract with Apple for sale of the iPhone has caused it to miss out considerably on the opportunity to bring aboard new subscribers. This is a weakness in the area of research and deveopment, particularly given that Apple is the most innovative technology device company today. This failure is compounded by the failure to recognize research indicators suggesting the coming collapse of the fixed-line phone industry. Indeed, the Carew report denotes that "Verizon promised a strong 2008 and said it was not being hurt by U.S. economic concerns, but investors still worried that weakness in its fixed-lined home phone business would worsen if the economy slows further." (Carew, 1)
Verizon hopes to address these weaknesses through the release of a new set of Google-designed devices that have been highly anticipated. Accordingly, Hardy (2009) indicates that "as an Android-based smartphones, these devices will have a highly-functional web browser, and include tie-ins to a number of Google's online services, like Gmail and Google Maps." (Hardy, 1) the prospects of this product have promoted a positive degree of industry anticipation that may redeem the research and development of the company for the management failures relating to Apple.
The line of separation between the two has truly detained Verizon from the opportunity to overwhelm all competitive comers. Note the Chart included as Appendix a, which clearly demonstrates the sales of iPhone to categorically dominate those of either Verizon's past breadwinner in the Blackberry and its anticipated feature in the Android. (Zambonini, 1) Dealing with this impasse is a key to Verizon's future success.
Works Cited:
Business Wire (BW). (2006). Verizon Wireless Has Set the Bar for Competitors to Reach. BNet. Online at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2006_June_1/ai_n26882517/?tag=rel.res4
Carew, S. (2008). Verizon Wireless Weakness Overshadows Mobile Growth. Reuters. Online at http://www.reuters.com/article/hotStocksNews/idUSN2844807120080128
Hardy, E. (2009). Verizon Still Has Not Unveiled Its First Android Smartphones. Brighthand.com.
PR Newswire. (2009). Verizon Business Offers it and Security Tips to Guide Clients Through Merger Integrations. Reuters. Online at http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS75893+12-Oct-2009+PRN20091012
Appendix a:
