Santa Clara (CA) - AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson revealed today that a new version of the iPhone will come out next year and will be based on the advanced mobile 3G standard.

According to media reports, Stephenson made the statement during a speech at the Churchill Club in Santa Clara, California. However, he failed to say anything about price, specific functionality, or basically anything other than the 3G feature.

There was confusion and even some hostility when Apple first confirmed that the first iPhone model would not carry 3G standards. 3G, which stands for third-generation mobile technology, is a common platform used by mobile carriers to provide advanced features like video and over-the-air e-commerce.

Currently, the iPhone is powered with an EDGE mobile data connection, with a 2.5G technology standard.