Verizon Wireless to Test WiMAX Competitor LTE and Open Access to Third-Party Devices and Web Sites
1 December 2007- Are WiMAX, Google, iPhone Accelerating Industry Trend to Faster, Open Wireless Networks?
In a surprising move Verizon Wireless this week said it will open its cellular network to “wireless devices, software and applications” by the end of 2008. The move follows months of industry activity and announcements about the deployment by Sprint and others of a WiMAX network with an open-to-all architecture. Google has recently said it would probably bid on wireless spectrum that could be used to build an open wireless network. It unveiled several weeks ago an operating system called Android that’s based on a version of Linux and that Google says will be totally open for third-party development.
Looking at the scope of Verizon Wireless’ announcement and its scheduled rollout, it appears that the company has been working on the project for some time. Its announcement comes just as Sprint, the only major wireless carrier to commit to building a WiMAX network, is about to begin testing in two markets - Chicago and Washington-Baltimore. It also comes when Sprint is undergoing major executive changes due to financially damaging decisions. It’s also barely more than a month until the FCC puts up for auction spectrum that the FCC has mandated must be open access, at least some significant portion of it. Google has been openly talking about making a bid for the spectrum for months.
Verizon Wireless said it will continue to offer its exclusive mobile handsets and “on-deck” content. It called the potential third party handsets and services an “additional option” for consumers.
In early 2008 Verizon Wireless will publish technical standards that developers can use to design products that will be compatible with its network. It promised that it will activate any device that meets the technical standard. To certify products Verizon is spending $20 million on a test facility.
Unanswered
Unanswered is whether adapter cards for laptops, ultra mobile PCs and handheld consumer devices such as media players like Zunes and iPods can also be designed to work on Verizon Wireless’ network.
Why Now? Why Verizon?
In many respects Verizon Wireless has been the most closed of the four major U.S. cellular companies. It lobbied against open access mandates in the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction. Many of the digital media services it offers are from its own development and/or closed to third-party access.
What prompted the highly profitable and very successful Verizon Wireless to make such a move and risk loss of revenue and profits? Was it indeed the seemingly open access tsunami that deep-pocketed WiMAX proponents such as Samsung, Intel, Motorola, Google and Cisco have backed?
Is it the potential threat that Google’s Android operating system poses? Perhaps it’s the desire to see Android-based mobile devices operating on its network. After all Google has said that Android will come in more than just mobile phones. And Google is promising and delivering more and more online services and software - and at an accelerating rate - that consumers will want and expect.
Perhaps it’s also in reaction to AT&T’s success with the iPhone and Apple’s recent promise to open the iPhone and iPod touch to third-party development.
Sprint has been promising that its WiMAX-based Xohm network will be open at both ends - to devices and to any and all Web sites.
The FCC has mandated that some of the spectrum that’s up for bid in January’s 700 MHz auction must be used to provide open access. FCC chairman Kevin Martin issued a statement that said, “Wireless customers should be able to use the wireless device of their choice and download whatever software they want onto it. I continue to believe that more openness - at the network, device, and application level - helps foster innovation and enhances consumers’ freedom and choice in purchasing wireless service.” He said he has encouraged the wireless industry “to adopt a more open and consumer-friendly industry approach.” The Verizon Wireless announcement and the Open Handset Alliance’s previous announcement of an open platform capable of working on multiple networks,” he said, “is a significant step towards fulfilling these goals.” He said he’s “optimistic that Verizon Wireless’ commitment along with the upcoming spectrum auction will ensure an exciting new era in wireless technology for the benefit of all consumers.”
No comments yet