This is enormous
Posted by TFG on November 27th, 2007
Verizon Wireless To Introduce ‘Any Apps, Any Device’ Option For Customers In 2008
Verizon Wireless today announced that it will provide customers the option to use, on its nationwide wireless network, wireless devices, software and applications not offered by the company. Verizon Wireless plans to have this new choice available to customers throughout the country by the end of 2008.
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 new option goes beyond just a change in the design, delivery, purchase, and provisioning of wireless devices and applications.
“This is a transformation point in the 20-year history of mass market wireless devices – one which we believe will set the table for the next level of innovation and growth,” said Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless president and chief executive officer. “Verizon Wireless is not changing our successful retail model, but rather adding an additional retail option for customers looking for a different wireless experience.”
Honestly, Verizon is the last company I would have expected to do this. And of course, equally honestly, they’ve got a year in which to screw it up. I really hope they don’t, because the mobile / cellular / wireless market is just itching to be unleashed.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:36 am
Scott, I welcome this as well, but have real concerns about how they are going to pull it off. How they keep malicious apps, trojan horses, back doors and the like off their network will be interesting to watch. Oh, and I assume they understand they will never sell another cell phone again.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
I’d just guess that they leave it up to the users/customers. Buyer beware, just like the internet (or DSL from ATT or DOCSIS from Time-Warner) is today.
They’ll still sell plenty of phones. They’ve got a generation trained to do it. Just like there are still people paying rental fees to Ma Bell for their bakelite rotaries hanging on the kitchen wall. What there will be is a market for random devices that work on the cell network that aren’t phones, so to speak. Small space, initially, but lucrative to some.
November 29th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
I’m still not sure how they are going to sell phones once every knock-off entrepreneur can offer anything they have for less. But then again, I don’t get the iPhone mania either. I’ll get back to you on how well my HTC Mogul works out after I get it activated and have a chance to play with it.
November 29th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Sounds like they want to be AT&T. Glad (now) my wife made me switch to them from Sprint.
November 30th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Charles, I think they’ll just sell the VZW-branded phones for less than they do today. We both know the massive margins they have in them, and a small hit on that revenue will be more than offset by people buying plans on the ‘open’ VZW net.
Funny, I was just looking at new smartphones. The Mogul doesn’t appeal, but the Samsung i760 does. As always, too, the Palm OS team has completely failed to advance the ball in well over two years. Very sad.