While Apple has yet to break its exclusive iPhone carrier contract with AT&T, BusinessWeek reports that Verizon is preparing for just such an occurrence. Indeed, Verizon Wireless has already made
upgrades that would make its network more capable of handling extra traffic that would be generated by the iPhone. Verizon Wireless officials have in the past said they occasionally discuss
partnerships with Apple executives, while, earlier this year, the companies were reportedly considering releasing "iPhone-like devices," which would run on the Verizon Wireless network. To date,
Verizon Wireless has beefed up its network through acquisitions, closing a $27 billion deal to purchase the rural cellular operator Alltel at the beginning of the year. In acquiring Alltel, Verizon
picked up a nationwide network with strong coverage in the Southeast and in Western states such as California, Nevada, and Arizona.
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