Microsoft’s much-anticipated Windows Phone 7 (WP7) platform will not be available for handsets supporting CDMA networks until 2011, the Wall Street Journal reported, significantly limiting the potential for the platform in Microsoft’s home market of the US. The lack of a CDMA unit means that, at launch, no WP7 devices will be available from Verizon Wireless, the largest operator in the country, which has previously had a close relationship with Microsoft. While the support for the GSM/WCDMA-family of technologies obviously gives device manufacturers the chance to address a much wider global customer base, enabling WP7 to gain a much wider penetration in its early months, the ability of a CDMA version would have undoubtedly helped build momentum in the US, which remains a significant market for the computing giant.

Verizon Wireless has previously offered a number of Windows Mobile powered smartphones, including high-spec devices from Samsung, and also worked with Microsoft on the aborted Kin social networking device project. Its smartphone focus is currently squarely on the Google-backed Android platform, which is used in its flagship Droid device family, with terminals manufactured by HTC and Motorola – which have both previously offered Windows-powered devices for the operator. A CDMA WP7 device would also have provided Verizon with an effective competitor to Apple’s iPhone, which in the US is offered exclusively by AT&T, Verizon’s main mobile rival. Among the likely early device vendor supporters of WP7, HTC, Samsung and LG Electronics have significant CDMA operations alongside their GSM/WCDMA family businesses. Previous reports suggest the platform will launch first in Europe (next month), followed by a US launch in November. Verizon customers could therefore miss out on the key holiday season buying time for devices running WP7.