Verizon Wireless Said to Offer Apple iPhone in January 2011

Verizon Wireless customers: The wait for an iPhone may soon be over.

Verizon Wireless will begin selling Apple's (AAPL) iPhone early next year, opening up the wildly popular device to millions of new customers, Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing two people familiar with the matter.

Such a move would end Apple's exclusive arrangement with AT&T (T), which for three years has been the sole iPhone service provider.

The development would be a clear victory for Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier.

Verizon has clearly been coveting the iPhone, the hottest mobile device on the planet. Two months ago, Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg said the iPhone will come to Verizon "eventually" -- the most direct comment from the company to date.

In late March, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is working on two new iPhone models for release this summer, including one that could be compatible with Verizon Wireless's CDMA network.

Without the iPhone, Verizon has made a big push to support Google (GOOG) Android mobile operating system, which is featured on several of the company's devices.