iPhone On Sprint, T-Mobile: What Are Its Chances? (AAPL, S)

Now that the iPhone is finally headed to Verizon (NYSE: VZ), consumers and analysts alike are wondering if it is only a matter of time before Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) moves to Sprint (NYSE: S) and T-Mobile.

Is it merely a pipedream? Up until last fall, it seemed as if the Verizon rumors would never evolve into a concrete deal. But here we are, just days away from the launch of a new iPhone carrier.

According to the New York Times, some analysts believe that Apple will not be able to fend off its rivals – particularly Google's (NASDAQ: GOOG) Android platform – if it does not expand.

Harry Wang, director of mobile research at Parks Associates, told the New York Times that at this point, Apple is realizing that AT&T (NYSE: T) exclusivity is not to its advantage.

“Verizon will provide fertile ground to gain new iPhone customers, but if Apple feels Android is gaining on other networks then they may start to look at other subscribers to compete there too,” Wang said.

On the flip side, Forrester Research's Charles Golvin is not convinced that Apple should continue to proliferate in this regard. Says Golvin, “When you look at other markets in the United Kingdom and Germany, where Apple does have relationships to distribute the iPhone on multiple networks, they usually have some sort of exclusivity and don't make it available everywhere.” Golvin is also quick to note that, while the iPhone is still 3G, Sprint has been dedicated to promoting its 4G network.

Interestingly, the New York Times said that while an Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on whether the iPhone would appear on Sprint or T-Mobile, she would confirm that the Verizon deal is a multi-year, non-exclusive agreement.