The Bionic may not be ready an maybe the Samsung as well, but the ThunderBolt sure as heck should be. It was outed six months ago, got a new radio that is backwards compatible to 3G.
But as the WallStreet Journal says (you know Steve Job's mouth piece when he wants things leaked HIS way) that on 1/11/11 Verizon has a special announcement. We all know how Job's refuses to attend CES and he will get the tech journalists to sweep away everything they just did for his phone announcement. Seriously the iPhone has been out for years, so its going to a new carrier, BFD. Its a phone, not a cure for world problems.
That said as the original poster commented, YES, I agree whole heartedly and so doe many other tech blogs, journalists and outlets that Verizon is holding off on other new phone launches either because they don't want to over shadow them or as typical Apple (Job's) demands such policies be set, conformed and tortured into place through whatever means necessary.
Some call it "business" I call it "draconian" policies. If you cannot win on the merit of your own product then it clearly is nothing to crow about. The fact that Apple has and continues to get beat up by Android OS is enough for Job's to demand such policies.
Apple counts iOS devices, meaning iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. Google counts Android Phones and until the Samsung Galaxy Tab it was only phones. With the addition of monster Android Tablets, Hot new 4G Android phones Apple is once again scared and will make "business (aka draconian) demands on their carriers.
Even AT&T is scared offering the iPwn 3G for $50 just to get more contracts signed for 2 years before Verizon can announce anything.
These are my opinions and insight based on my passion and hobby as a tech enthusiast.