Verizon Wireless To Open Network

A number of readers are letting us know about Verizon's plans, announced today, to open their nationwide wireless network to devices that they don't sell. A NYTimes blog posting puts VZW's announcement in industry context. From the press release: "In early 2008, the company will publish the technical standards the development community will need to design products to interface with the Verizon Wireless network. Any device that meets the minimum technical standard will be activated on the network. Devices will be tested and approved in a $20 million state-of-the-art testing lab which received an additional investment this year to gear up for the anticipated new demand. Any application the customer chooses will be allowed on these devices."

This seems very much unlike Verizon

[yincrash]

I'm in shock. Verizon is fairly well known for locking down every phone they offer. What spurred the sudden change of heart? Google Android?

Unprecedented doesn't begin to describe it

[jeffmeden]

What might Verizon have up their sleeve on this one? They have traditionally been a VERY closed, clandestine network that offers no support for third party anything, and a very aggressive attitude against any efforts to open up (bluetooth lockout is one example). To see them changing their attitude is great, but what is the catch?

Let me get this straight...

[Shoeler]

The most evil of evil cellular companies, the company that replaces perfectly unacceptable, already crippled stock phone operating systems with COMPLETELY UTTERLY crippled operating systems, the same one who if you buy their Motorola RAZR and try to use MOTOROLA's OWN MOBILE PHONE TOOLS, will not allow said use. The same one who requires a USB CHARGER PURCHASED FROM THEM, when any charger will suffice, is now opening their network???!!!

'Scuse me - that sizzling sound was hell freezing over.

Re:This seems very much unlike Verizon

[geekoid]

Verizon has been becoming more friendly towards there customers over the last few years.
No, not perfect.
Any company that lowers the price of their product, even to people in a contract for a higher amount, is pretty good in my book.

Any device?

[a_nonamiss]

Any device that meets the minimum technical standard will be activated on the network

That's a helluva loophole. It's possible that they just want to protect their network from rogue devices, but I think they could use that clause to deny a lot of devices. Also, the article mentions fees associated with testing. Are those fees geared towards the individual consumer or phone manufacturers? Hundreds or millions of dollars?

I'd like to be optimistic, but I've (unwillingly) been a Verizon customer for years, and I'd be surprised to see a leopard change its spots...

Re:Unprecedented doesn't begin to describe it

[kackle]

Undoubtedly it was in response to Google's bidding to make an "open spectrum".

As a person who has explored making a device for use on Ver*izon's network (job related), I tell you that there is a substantial certification fee for such devices; 2 years ago anyway I was told it was roughly a couple of hundred thousand dollars for a design. I wonder whether they are changing that too...

Oblig Brannigan

[C0rinthian]

"If we hit that bullseye, then the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate."

CDMA vs GSM

[chiller2]

I think the real story here is that CDMA is loosing market share to GSM. The latter is cheaper and globally widespread so Verizon are trying to bolster CDMA device usage.

Re:This seems very much unlike Verizon

[Isao]

What spurred the sudden change of heart?

Sprint [nwsource.com]. They were the first to lose the class-action lawsuit [sprintlockinglawsuit.com].

Should we thank google?

[DTemp]

Based on this article over at ars [arstechnica.com], it seems like Google had a big part in this. Pushing for open access rules in the FCC frequency auction (that Verizon originally SUED OVER but relented), and creating the Android platform that Verizon KNEW it had to somehow get a piece of, after viewing AT&T laughing all the way to the bank with the iPhone deal... yeah I think this wouldn't be happening without Google.

Re:Any device? -Pretty much!

[moosesocks]

Translation:
"Nobody wants to build decent phones for our proprietary network, because we've completely destroyed our reputation among the manufacturers by intentionally crippling their phones."

Now Verizon wants smaller players to get in on the action, and hopefully fix their reputation by coming up with something innovative. I'd imagine that they're not only jealous of the iPhone, but also the amazing GSM phones that Europe's had for quite some time now. Let's face it -- the current selection of CDMA phones absolutely sucks.

I'd also imagine that the FCC (or the Boston police department...) would have a few things to say about a breadboard phone :-P

Re:Peachy....

[Bill, Shooter of Bul]

Yes it is. I used to work with modems extensively. I had to simulate line noise and what not to test the reliability of our custom x/z modem implementations. I spent a lot of time talking into the the line on a connected phone. I tried connecting many many times, it only happened once that actually connected. Still, one of my proudest accomplishments.