Lowell McAdam, left, Verizon President and COO, and Tim Cook, COO of Apple, announce that Verizon Wireless will carry Apple's iPhone, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011 in New York. Verizon Wireless and Apple@ today announced that the iPhone@ 4 will be available on the Verizon Wireless network beginning on Thursday, February 10. Qualified Verizon Wireless customers will be given the exclusive opportunity to pre-order iPhone 4 online on February 3, ahead of general availability.

New York ? Verizon Wireless says it will start selling a version of the iPhone 4 in early February, giving U.S. iPhone buyers a choice of carriers for the first time.

Since its 2007 debut, Apple Inc.’s phone has been sold exclusively for AT&T’s network in the U.S.

Verizon Communications Inc.’s chief operating officer, Lowell McAdam, is making the announcement Tuesday in New York. He’s joined by Apple COO Tim Cook, who calls it “the beginning of a great relationship between Verizon and Apple.”

Sales are to begin Feb. 10 with pre-orders starting Feb. 3. The price will be $200 or $300 with a two-year contract, depending on the model, about the same as the iPhone through AT&T.

Apple issued its press release at 11:11 a.m. on Jan. 11, 2011, or 1/11/11.