Verizon Wireless will open network for non-Verizon devices, services
Verizon Wireless announced a bold initiative this morning called “Any Apps, Any Device” that will open up their network to non-Verizon devices and services by the end of 2008. The company will publish technical standards early next year and as long as a tested device meets the minimum standards it will alllowed on the Verizon network.I’m not going to get into the implications of this news just yet, because quite honestly, I think the impact will be staggering in terms of opening up doors for customers. I’m also waiting to see what we might hear from any other U.S. carriers. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments on if this is profound news or just a PR play from Verizon. You can get more information directly from a Verizon Wireless conference call that starts thirty minutes from the time I write this. Tune in at 10am Eastern Time if you want to hear the official word. Here’s the call-in number: 866-425-6193, passcode 9505430. There’s also a corresponding webcast available here.One additional thought for folks wondering how “open” this will make Verizon since their network is CDMA-based: remember that they’re leaning towards LTE, or Long Term Evolution for their next generation network. LTE is an IP-based UMTS standard in the GSM family.Updates: I’m listening to the call right now. Verizon realizes they can’t meet each customer’s device or application needs by “placing bets” on which handsets customers will want. If a customer brings a non-Verizon device or application on the network, the customer is responsible for troubleshooting it. Devices can be activated through the device itself, online or via an 800-number. VZW expects that any devices will comply with the current CDMA network. The company has not yet made their decision on a 4G network platform, but when they do, this open initiative should apply regardless of the network standard. The testing fee for a device was not disclosed, but VZW indicates it “won’t be as high as you’d expect”. Worthy of note: it was stressed many times that “devices” could range as far as you can imagine: gaming platforms, appliances and such. If you have the smarts to build a cellular-based device in your basement, VZW will test it and, if it meets the minimal network standards, it will get approved.
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In China the CDMA network are SIM based and you can use any CDMA device that accepts a SIM card. You just buy a SIM from a street vendor and slide it into your phone.
Verizon doesn’t presently support CDMA SIM, which is in my opinion that major contributor to their network being so closed.
Prior to my iPhone i had been using various nice GSM SIM phones I’d bought in Hong Kong on the at&t network here in North America.
If Verizon starts using CDMA SIM then all they’re doing is catching up with at&t/t-mobile. *yawn*
So, jailbreaked iPhones will work on Verizon? (Lacking visual voicemail, of course.)
Current iPhones made by Apple use the GSM standard, not CDMA used by Verizon, Sprint, & Alltel, so no.
I see it as a plus. One of the many criticisms leveled at Verizon is that they take too long to bring new phones to market. I certainly remember the days where it seemed like Verizon would keep a Treo in testing for a couple of years before they released it. They’re faster today, so they are responding to market pressure to keep up with “cool phones.”
I see this as another way to speed up the integration process. Of course, the devil is in the details. If, for instance, the manufacturer has to demonstrate a marketing plan for the phone or if Verizon requires it be sold in Verizon-owned retail or kiosk only, then that could be a deal-breaker for many.
One thing’s for sure: They never stop working me over … I mean, for me.
Oh look! Verizon (and recently Sprint as well) are discovering what GSM has been all about for 20 years…
Except you don’t need to even certify a homebrew GSM device – you just need to insert your SIM card.
Taht being said, I applaud the CDMA carriers finally getting a clue :)
Hey, I’d happily switch over to GSM if I got the same *experience in data throughput, signal strength, available, etc.
*your experience may vary
>>>Current iPhones made by Apple use the GSM standard
Argh. I keep forgetting about the different bloody OTA methods. Thanks.
@Mike Whalen, my experience does vary :)
I’ve been consistently getting better HSDPA (1.8 Mbps version) performance than EVDO (Rev. 0 version) in the last 2 cities I’ve lived in (SF and Seattle)…
I don’t know about HSDPA (3.6 Mbps) and/or HSUPA vs. EVDO (Rev. A), though.
I can also browse the web and talk at the same time on the same device (simultaneous data and voice since WCDMA and GSM use separate radios).
I can swap devices on a whim by simply swapping my SIM card, ad I can use my devices abroad!
The only advantage I see with EVDO is overage within the US (outside of major urban areas).
Verizon has been losing a lot of customers (myself included) by handicapping devices, making objectionable terms of service changes, etc. for years now, and is finally getting half a clue. Huzzah for them.
How many users have already switched to HSDPA and have no intention of going back to CDMA when we can now rearrange devices and carriers with a simple SIM card swap, as well as having nearly-worldwide roaming?
Anyone here any details regarding applications? Will we finally be able to download any BREW application, click on live links in the WAP browser? If so this is a step in the right direction.