Verizon edges closer toward open network

Verizon Wireless has certified the first device that will operate on its Open Development network, the company said Friday during a conference call to update developers participating in the program.

Anthony Lewis, vice president for open development at Verizon, said that at least one device developer has completed the certification process that was first launched in March. The device that has been certified was already in the works when Verizon made details of the Open Development Initiative public just a few months ago.

Lewis said he was unable to provide details about the new handset. He wouldn't even name its manufacturer. He also didn't give a time frame for when the device will be commercially available on the open network. Still, he wanted to show the developer community that progress is being made.

"I want you to know the process works," he said during the conference call. "We believe the time is right to have this open development program. And I'm happy about some of the devices I've already seen."

Lewis also emphasized the importance of partnerships and collaboration in the process.

"We are here for you," he told the developers. "We're listening to you, and we are working to find the most effective way for you to bring your products and services to the network and out to the general population."

Verizon first announced plans for an open development network in November with the hope that it would make it easier and less expensive for third-party developers to bring new devices and applications to its network. Ultimately, Verizon hopes its open network will help spur innovation and provide a testing ground for new devices, applications, and services.

The new certification process is much more streamlined than the process companies must go through if they want to sell a Verizon-branded phone. Verizon is trying to make the new process as easy and open as possible. The company recently updated its Web page with a link that will allow those seeking product certification to track their device's progress from the initial stages all the way through to final certification and testing.

Developers urged to work directly with device makers
Since the device specifications for the open development network were released a few months ago, application developers have been clamoring for more information about how to get their applications on these new devices. Lewis said that Verizon is working with device makers first to lay the foundation for the open network. And he said the developers should work directly with device makers to develop applications.

"We are leaving the door wide open for applications," he said. "We are not going to evaluate applications on ODI (Open Development Initiative) devices. Any certification for applications we will leave up to device manufacturers."

He added that developers are free to use any operating system they choose on their devices whether its Google's Android, the open Linux platform Limo, or Microsoft's Windows Mobile.

Even though Verizon won't be taking an active role in certifying applications, the company will help bring application developers together with device makers. And Lewis encouraged application developers to join the Open Development Initiative and to contact Verizon to help initiate and facilitate conversations with device makers.

Lewis also confirmed that devices running on the ODI network will not be sold with contracts. This means that Verizon will not be subsidizing the cost of the devices. But it also means that Verizon will not charge those controversial early termination fees when customers ditch its service. Exact pricing details or ODI service plans haven't been made public yet. Lewis said Verizon is still working out the details, but it's likely the company could offer "pay as you go" and month-to-month service.

"We want to make sure the plans are simple," he said.

[tux_warrior]

Am I missing something?
For how many years now has Verizon been the most proprietary network on the planet? Now all of the sudden they want to allow fair play......I'm confused. Why all of the sudden do they care about consumers?

What's next, Microsoft building an OS with a Linux kernel at its core.

[pjk0]

@tux_warrior: You haven't been paying attention. Verizon announced plans to open their network to customer-provided equipment last year.

As for Verizon "not caring about consumers", I disagree wholeheartedly. Right now, Verizon treats their customers like royalty. Yes, they have a tendency to be higher-priced than their competition, and to disable certain (ie bluetooth) features as a tactic to try to increase their external service revenues, but then again their service works better, and their customer service is better, than any of their major competitors right now.

Some people used to ***** at the fact that they made no bones about their restrictions for data usage (ie their 5GB per month cap on EVDO usage) but this was just good network management. ATT now does the same thing. Sprint doesn't yet, but is moving in that direction - they've needed all the incentives possible to attract business lately, and they are still losing customers by the millions. T-Mobile doesn't even have a 3G network.

[savedR]

I'm a Verizon customer right now, and I have a Windows Mobile device. I love to grouse about Verizon's killer data prices, mostly because I don't make enough money to really be able to afford another $50 a month on my cell bill just for unlimited data.

But I will say this, with 100% confidence: Verizon has absolutely the best 3G high-speed service area of any American carrier.

We just got their EVDO high-speed service in our town, and our town has a population of about 19,000. That's SMALL, for high-speed. Cingular covers St. Louis and no other area of Missouri at all; with Verizon, you can drive from the bootheel up through St. Louis all the way to Lake of the Ozarks on the other side of the state, and have EVDO coverage the ENTIRE way. Last year, we drove from the bootheel to Florida, and I'm not kidding, through Tenessee to Nashville, south through Alabama, through a bit of Georgia, through Florida, and all the way to the coast of the private beach house we stayed at, we had EVDO service THE ENTIRE TIME.

No other carrier can match that. If you want high speed, you want Verizon, pure and simple.

Or maybe Sprint, I hear their data is fast, and unlimited data's $15 a month, so go figure. :D