The last time we heard from Ivan Seidenberg, he was letting Sprint know precisely what he thought of it. This go 'round, in a new 'Charlie Rose' interview, the Verizon chief is being entirely more coy. In speaking to recent political happenings, he mentions that the communication coming from the citizens of Iran is "a great thing," and he also notes that attempts to block internet use "can't work long term" as the "power of the people will override that without any question." Sort of comical given VZW's prior persistence to cripple phones in spite of consumer backlash, but we digress. He also dodged (with great skill, might we add) questions on whether Verizon Wireless would carry the iPhone, noting that it was "Apple's decision" on whether it would build one to support the company's forthcoming LTE network. As for Android? He did confess that recent reports of a Motorola handset coming its way "might be true," which is CEO speak for "oh, that's absolutely happening." Hop on past the break for a video of the whole shakedown.

In a refreshingly open, straight-shooting interview with the Wall Street Journal, Verizon boss Ivan Seidenberg -- who has a reputation for being candid -- talked about virtually every hot-button topic facing its business today, starting with the love-hate relationship it shares with fellow partner Vodafone in its Verizon Wireless joint venture. Seidenberg reiterated that he'd love to take Vodafone's 45 percent off its hands, but admits that the prospects are unlikely in the short term; he goes on to say, though, that he's convinced they'll be willing to dump it once the wireless industry cools off. The next target of his ire is archrival Sprint, which he says will "self-destruct" by failing to meet capacity demand following the launch of the blowout $50 unlimited deal on its iDEN-based Boost subsidiary -- fightin' words from a guy whose ad campaign has revolved around a smug dork in a jumpsuit touting network reliability for half a decade. Finally -- and this is kind of juicy -- Ivan talks up the iPhone, saying that Apple had never seriously considered a CDMA version, but that he thinks the company will be much more receptive to talks once Big Red moves to LTE and everyone gets on the same page technologically. Of course, if AT&T has anything to say about it, it won't happen -- but it'll be a fun drama to watch unfold.

[Via Phone Scoop, image via I Can Has Cheezburger?]

If you've been scouring the dictionary for sour grapes, chances are you'll find Ivan Seidenberg's picture. Verizon Communications' chairman and chief executive recently sat down for an interview with Financial Times, and while he spent the vast majority of his time boasting of just how amazing Verizon is, he did stop to remark about Cupertino ever so briefly. Granted, he did start off by admitting that Apple was a "great company," but that didn't stop him from pillorying the iPhone as well as Dear Leader himself. He actually accused the interviewer of "declaring [Apple] a winner before it had earned it on the field," suggesting that the iPhone wouldn't become a mass-market handset simply because the next iteration will be subsidized. He also stated that "Mr. Jobs had no monopoly on innovation," and took the conversation even further off track by blurting that "Steve Jobs eventually will get old." At least Keystone knows where to find its next bitter beer face, right?

[Via The Inquirer, image courtesy of Pace, thanks Frank]

In the ever evolving world of wireless, there are very few things that stay constant, even when it comes to the CEOs and their positions. No stranger to the limelight is Verizon Wireless and its current CEO and President, Denny Strigl, who is reportedly leaving the successful wireless division and making his way to the Verizon Landline division to report to Ivan Seidenberg. No indications why the changes are taking place, however there is a bit of hint who will be filling in those giant shoes of Denny: it's the current Executive Vice President Lowell McAdam. Now with all these changes being made, we wonder if they will ever launch that Rev. A network we keep hearing so much about.

[Thanks, dizzle]