Verizon defends iPhone decision Verizon continued to defend its decision to reject an exclusive iPhone partnership during Verizon's recent conference call: "the iPhone product is something where, quite frankly, we’re happy that we’re not first to market with the iPhone," Verizon COO Dennis Strigl said. "We think that innovation and a focus on music will benefit the whole industry," the exec said. "It really does draw attention to our data capabilities... but bottom line on the iPhone, I think we’re -- many are interested in comparing a future offering with what we have in the marketplace today: it's like comparing apples and oranges."