Verizon conference call tidbits
Added on 2007-11-27 09:40:00
by Mark Brezinski
 We're fresh off the phone with Verizon reps in regards to their new "Any Apps, Any Device" business model, and only a little sad they didn't get a chance to answer our hard-hitting questions (other people asked most of them anyway). This blog post aims to clarify a few points and highlight a few others, as this is a rather substantial announcement. If you need to get up to speed on the subject, you can get that perspective from our news article, here.
First of all, Verizon stated this move had two motivations: giving customers a second option, and giving Verizon a competitive advantage. Basically -- and this is somewhat paraphrased version of their actual example -- if someone builds a device on breadboard, brings it to be tested, and pays the "very reasonable" testing fee (he claims it's not the number everyone's thinking that has a bunch of zeroes on the end), then it'll be fine on the network. By network, they mean their entire network, not just some special secluded spectrum of it. As such, the phones need to pass their lab testing. They said these tests would be limited to basic network connectivity tests, along with some minor guidelines. They explained these minor guidelines involved not spreading malware throughout their system, but they wouldn't be poking around applications or interfaces. They claimed these "guidelines" weren't set in stone yet, however. This was an area we really would have liked clarified, as the whole malware issue is most definitely a software-based threat, meaning Verizon's lab tests would have to monitor what software goes in and what stays out to some degree. We hope these guidelines don't become an excuse for software censorship later on.
They stressed that the devices are only limited by the innovation of developers, and that they expect their network to extend to more than just home-brewed phones. Appliances, gaming devices, and miscellaneous gadgets can now all be certified on the Verizon network, assuming they pass the testing. It also benefits the little guys because previously Verizon would've paid them no mind unless the device was a million seller; under this system it won't matter if they sell five or five million.
The reps said things are still solidifying, so details like pricing aren't set yet. As of now, they believe pricing will be usage-based, but it very well could change.
In a bout of totally opinion-based conjecture, we put forth that this move is an answer to Google's Android and the Open Handset Alliance. As you may very well know, Verizon recently dropped their lawsuit against the FCC and the 700 MHz spectrum will be open access. This new business model would put them in a much better position since open access seems to be the direction the industry is moving in.
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