Wall Street Journal is reporting today that the lengthy marriage between Apple and AT&T for the iPhone is coming to an end in the first quarter of 2011. "People familiar with the matter" have said that Verizon Wireless will be selling the iPhone in the beginning of next year. This would require Apple to begin a new version of the iPhone with a CDMA-capable antenna in it in order to receive a signal from Verizon. Never fear, WSJ says Apple is finishing up those plans at this very moment.

As Android phones grow in popularity, Apple has some serious competition mainly on the Verizon network. Android phones have even been sneaking their way onto AT&T's network recently. It would make sense from a competitive standpoint to get the iPhone on Verizon as soon as possible, but then again it wouldn't make sense.

Neither Apple nor Verizon would comment on the speculation, although AT&T did have a few choice words:

John Donovan, AT&T's chief technology officer, wouldn't comment on whether AT&T is losing exclusivity next year but said iPhone buyers would have reason to chose his network over Verizon's. AT&T's network lets users browse the Web while making calls, while Verizon's can't, he said. "It's not like we sit around and don't prepare for the future," Mr. Donovan said in an interview Wednesday, noting AT&T also has compelling offerings in Android phones, as well as Research In Motion Ltd.'s new BlackBerry Torch.

I've been hearing a lot of rumors swirling around today that the Apple and Verizon signed a deal already and the iPhone is coming to Verizon, period. Another one I've heard is that only the iPhone 3GS will be available on Verizon. Neither are true, folks. This is all pure speculation, as it has been for years now. That said, the rumors are certainly getting much louder.