Verizon To Open Network
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Richard Baguley Published on November 27, 2007 Comment on this |
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27th Nov 07 – In a surprise move this morning, Verizon has announced that they will be allowing third party devices to connect to their cell phone network late in 2008. Previously, Verizon Wireless had only allowed handsets and other devices purchased through the company itself to connect. However, there are a few strings attached.The new policy (which Verizon Wireless calls “any Apps, Any Device”) will come into effect by the end of 2008. Verizon describes it as providing customers with the “option to use, on its nationwide wireless network, wireless devices, software and applications not offered by the company.” But it won't be as simple as connecting any cell phone to Verizon; the devices will have to fit a new set of technical standards, which Verizon will publish early in 2008. They claim that any device that meets these as yet unpublished standards will be allowed to connect. In addition, the company is setting up a testing and certification lab that will test devices. It isn't clear at the moment if the devices will need to be tested before they can be activated, or if this is an additional step. Incidentally, one of the devices they will be using for testing is the same HATS (Head and Torso Simulator) that we use to test cell phones here at Wirelessinfo.com.
Verizon also announced that they will be opening their devices to software as well, which is a significant shift. Until this policy came along, the cell phone networks restricted the software that was installed don their devices, blocking certain applications (such as Voice Over IP software) from being installed on the handsets they sell. With this new policy, the company will not restrict the software that can be used. This doesn't mean the network will be free; they will still be able to charge for access and will presumably still reserve the right to block users if they are causing problems. But it is a significant shift in policy for Verizon.
Although the exact process of getting devices connected to the Verizon network has not yet been outlined, it should allow cell phones and other suitably equipped devices to connect. It will not, however, allow cell phones that use the rival GSM standard (such as Apple's iPhone) to connect; Verizon uses an incompatible standard called CDMA for their network, so GSM phones won't be able to connect.
The move comes, somewhat ironically, after Verizon attempted to block a forthcoming FCC frequency auction that included similar open access provisions. When they launched their legal challenge to the FCC auction, they claimed that the concept of open access was contrary to the US constitution. The company dropped its legal action in October, and now they are adopting a policy that is very similar to the rules they opposed.
More information about Verizon's conference call with the press to discuss this new business model can be found here.
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