According to USA Today, Apple and Verizon are discussing a deal which could yank the carpet out from under AT&T’s feet after their iPhone exclusivity contract expires. The current discussions are centered on introducing an iPhone through Verizon by next year, which happens to coincide with the conclusion of AT&T’s current pact. Should the deal come into fruition, and an iPhone is developed for Verizon’s CDMA wireless network, Apple would gain access to some 80 million subscribers of the carrier.

Negotiations with Verizon are said to have commenced a few months ago, when Jobs was still holding down the fort in Cupertino, and have continued without his presence. Interestingly, though, about two weeks back it was reported that AT&T was seeking to extend their hold on the iPhone. Any predictions on how this will end?