Update: Verizon may end up creating a two-tiered network instead of an open one. Read more here.
In what is either a response to Google’s Android mobile operating system or an attempt to butter up the FCC for the upcoming 700 Mhz spectrum auctions or just a smart business move, Verizon Wireless is opening up its cellular network to any device or application that meets the “minimal technical standard” to run on its network. That means pretty much any CDMA device or application, even ones that are not officially offered by Verizon. The devices and apps will have to be tested and certified in a new $20 million Verizon lab being set up for that purpose, but by early next year if you don’t like the phones that Verizon sells, you will be able to bring your own unlocked CDMA phone to the network—maybe one you bought from Sprint or overseas.
This move could help Verizon in its bid for the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction, which will require that any winners allow open access to devices and applications on any resulting wireless network. By adopting those same principles for its current network, Verizon is showing a lot of good faith that could win it points in Washington. Maybe the other wireless carriers (AT&T, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile) will feel compelled to do the same. That would be good for consumers, entrepreneurs, and innovation. The wireless networks should be more like the Internet. Any device or app should be able to run on any wireless network, as long as it meets a minimal set of technical and security requirements.
When Google was trying to gear up support for its open-source mobile operating system Android, Verizon was one of the companies Google was rumored to be talking with, but did not end up being part of the Open Handset Alliance (which included T-Mobile and Sprint Nextel). Verizon may still join the Open Handset Alliance in its own sweet time, but this move suggests that it would rather compete by trying to attract mobile developers to its own network. Verizon is not embracing an open-source approach (which is probably why Microsoft is all gung-ho about the announcement), but it will give mobile developers access to its vast network and 64 million subscribers. You didn’t think Verizon was just going to let Google waltz right in and take its customers for a spin, did you? But if Verizon doesn’t make it easy for developers and unaffiliated device manufacturers to get onto its network, it could end up tripping over its own feet.
You’re missing an ’s’ in your title there, Erick. It > Its
I just wish they’d give me decent service at a price that isn’t freaking absurd. Is that too much to ask?
Presumably this means that non-phone devices, including sat nav systems, car stereos, etc. will be able to connect to the internet via Verizon’s network. Seems like the mobile revolution is coming quickly.
Check out my blog for more analysis.
Google is to thank for this.
Thank you Google. I would like to think quite a few industries will get their feathers ruffled over the next several years to spur this type of change.
The bedrock industry in Detroit is likely the biggest one.
Definitely a defensive move given the introduction of Android. It is still concerning that Verizon may require their own testing of products to “meet minimal technical standard”. Timing is a bit late as well – end of 2008?
Finally Verizon moves on. I think they have the best network, or possibly did. They seem to be playing catch up lately because they were so stagnate. They missed the opportunity to get the iPhone and to be honest I think they’re phones are very lacking as of lately. They don’t have the “cool” factor anymore.
PS. Why do I get redirected to a page that says “Missing Attachment” so many time when I try to view the comments section? It’s pretty annoying.
Ehemm……
This is thanks to the notorious Sergei and Larry, who have presumably been caught named in a tub – if you just click my name you can see the photo.
Erick, do you really think Verizon is opening up here? The CDMA phone market is effectively closed, and manufacturers still have a lot more incentive to sell their devices through carriers than directly to consumers. Who is going to spend hundreds more for an unsubsidized CDMA phone that you can barely use outside the U.S.?
Plus Verizon could charge whatever they want for these ‘foreign’ devices to access their data network — VoIP or video will probably cost an arm and a leg in bandwidth fees. They aren’t going to assign themselves dumb pipe status — that much is certain. This is a smart move on their part to get attention — but it won’t change much at all.
#8 – couldn’t agree more.
Check out all the unlocked phone providers – the CDMA inventory is miniscule. What are the sexy devices out there that you can’t already get here in the US?
Now compare that to the GSM inventory (if you want to see what I mean check out something like http://www.gsmarena.com) – now we’re talking about a massive array of choice.
This doesn’t change a thing.
What would really be nice is if they removed all their insane, backwards and archaic rules and regulations of their SMSC and MMSC.
Like #8 and #9 are saying, it’s pretty much a non-event, there’s very few decent CDMA devices.
Now, if Verizon were going to use GSM or WCDMA (on sensible frequency bands) that really would be news.
This is as big an event as an Amish getting a faster horse.
It is amazing to see this from a carrier that would only allow a phone’s bluetooth capability for voice and not for transfer of data. Good for them!
How are tmobile and at&t locked? Any sim device can be used on their network as long as it uses the right spectrum and technology which are both standardized.
I think it is unfair to call for people who have always had this flexibility to open up. The only issue is software on purchased devices. Aren’t the games and so-forthe the sell now pretty much ‘approved software’?
#12 – the networks aren’t locked but the devices are. If you purchase a GSM handset from AT&T, you can’t use it on any other GSM network.
What is this? Open source telephony?
Well Said # 12. Yes, AT&T and tmobile are not locked. One of friend is using a phone bought in ASIA it has LINUX running on it.
they are not locked. The phone which they cell are locked ( Ex : iPhone ) but their network is not.
Cheers, Nag
Screw waiting for verizon to join Android, Ill just buy an unlocked Android phone and use it on verizon.
Duh!
any of the naysayers stop to think that the reason there are few unlocked CDMA devices is because Verizon had not previously opened up like they are now?
This IS a big deal. They are the most advanced and IMO best network in the US. Only problem with them is (was) the lack of choice with phones and inability to download 3rd party App’s.
This will change that and allow the best network to attract a more savvy customer.
We can’t even fathom the possibilities this brings. It is huge.
It doesn’t matter that this isn’t particularly useful for consumers, the point is that Verizon wants to have the “open” label so that it has more leverage to bid for the 700Mhz spectrum.
Jeff – agreed – Verizon is definitely the most advanced US network (as hard as AT&T are trying to compete – fewest dropped calls? yeah right) but part of the problem is also Qualcomm and their greedy licensing, pricing, OEM agreements and Brew dictatorship.
I was going to say the CDMA piece would be an issue but it coupled with the 700 frequency range, bandwidth demanding applications may actually be feasible. Hmmm…interesting.
Okay guyz, so didn’t Sprint open up their network a while back….i dare someone to actually call VZW support to have their Sprint device roam on Verizon…im sure Verizon has given their CSRs some thorough training regarding support of devices outside of their walled garden….
Verizon is the worst operator…especially overseas! In addition I think its time they switch to a GSM model versus their Analog (weak). Go iphone!
This could be a way for Verizon to compete not with Google, but WIMAX being developed by many but more specifically between the cooperation of motorola, samsung and Sprint. Yes Sprint one of the only competitors that Verizon has regading the CDMA platform that they both traffic in. WIMAX maybe the true target.
I think Verizon is probably still evil: http://communit...izon_still_evil
“The devices and apps will have to be tested and certified”
You can hardly call this “opening up”. The network is closed until certification. If it where really open it would allow all compatible devices/apps unless proven malicious in that shiny “lab”. It’s PR and TC bought it..
CasaMan nailed it.
It’s hard to get excited about anything Verizon does after the problems I have had with them.
Oh and great all CasaMan! So true…
I think it is more about the apps than the devices, Dan (@8). We’ll see how serious they are about making this a seamless experience. But they are investing $20 million into the certification lab to make it work.
And, yes, this is nothing more than an announcement at this point. But it is news.
So I am not sure what exactly I bought, @25. As I point out at the end:
“if Verizon doesn’t make it easy for developers and unaffiliated device manufacturers to get onto its network, it could end up tripping over its own feet.”
I don’t think anybody would be surprised if it did just that.
Like the saying goes ” If you can’t beat them, join them” or should it be “Survival of the fetus”, in either case there is no political correctness here just a wise business decission on Verizon part.
I’m not sure this will make too much of a difference to mobile developers. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. “And then we’re gonna release an SDK!” Months later. “Your sdk is… Web technologies! Javascript, Ajax, hooray!”
As a verizon subscriber, I can honestly say I would have dumped them years ago if they didn’t have the best reception (above and beyond)- The degree to which they cripple all their phones for things like bluetooth/ringtones/etc is amazing, and the hoops you have to jump through are outlandish. I honestly hope that this means I’ll be able to get a J2ME phone on verizon (or un-crippled Android phone) so I can actually DEVELOP for the phone that I use (BREW is too high cost-of-entry for individual developers, not to mention scarce in developer resources) but I really feel like there has to be a catch, so I’m not holding my breath.
Good job Verizon – though it may not be enough. I’d rather have open source than open.
Erick,
The way I’m interpreting their press release, it sounds like apps will only be “open” on non-Verizon-supplied devices. It doesn’t sound like they are necessarily opening up the devices they ship themselves to new apps. “Any device that meets the minimum technical standard will be activated on the network. … Any application the customer chooses will be allowed on these devices.” Am I reading this wrong? (Obviously smartphones etc. are a diff. story.) But is VZW opening its feature phones to new apps? Doesn’t smell like it.
what’s next? maybe something as groundbreaking as the right for Americans to elect their President in a popular vote! now that’s open source!
Open is always bad!
http://fakestev...er.blogspot.com
Verizon’s plan to offer its users access to a full range of applications and devices
promises to crack the cellular industry wide open. But what does this mean for
the elusive Fixed Mobile Convergance in the U.S. Will
Verizon’s Open Network Lead to True FMC? Let’s see if the Walled Garden really comes crumbling down.
Dan, @32, can’t you do your own reporting?
But you are correct. See update here:
http://www.tech...-be-two-tiered/.