Verizon Wireless Focuses On Network Performance In Lieu Of Having Snazzy Smartphone Line-Up

Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) has drawn the short straw when it comes to smartphones.

AT&T (NYSE: T) continues to be the only U.S. carrier to sell the iPhone. Third-place Sprint (NYSE: S) is selling the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre exclusively, and T-Mobile USA is close to launching its third Android phone. So, what’s Verizon’s flagship handset? An article in Wired magazine asks: “Why does the U.S. carrier known for the best network have the worst smartphones?”

Playing off the network problems that AT&T has faced from selling the iPhone, Verizon spokesperson Brenda Raney said they would rather focus on the network than on the devices, “It isn