Sounds of Verizon Wireless desperately trying to pull the rug out from
underneath Google with its announcement today of an 'open access' model for
2008. What exactly this will provide is uncertain. The plan is to enable its US subscribers to purchase whatever devices they
like; connect them to the Verizon cdmaone network; and then run whatever apps
they like. There's a few caveats. Verizon will still insist on putting new devices
through its labs to test they actually work. That's important because a duff
cdmaone device can crash the network. GSM devices don't operate the same way so
they can't bring the network to its knees. There's been plenty of speculation as to what this actually means. Jan
Dawson, a US vp with industry watcher, Ovum, reckons that "it allows Verizon to
test the waters for a number of possible future initiatives, such as reducing
handset subsidies, opening up its walled garden portal more, and moving to more
purely usage-based pricing models." The notion of Verizon customers
connecting just what they want is a chimera, of course. Most ordinary folk might
think, "Oh, great. I can use that AT&T phone on Verizon now."
Oh no you can't. It's like trying to run Mac apps of a PC.
Well at least the cdma supporters club – the CTIA – likes the move. CTIA CEO,
Steve Largent, said, “"Today's announcement by Verizon ... shows that wireless
carriers listen closely to what their customers demand, and act quickly to bring
those desired products and services to market." Of course, the CTIA hopes loads of developers will now flock to cdmaone based
development and the Beast of Redmond is certainly backing the move. It's a nice ploy by Verizon to make itself look more 'open'. We'll have to
wait until early 2008 before the company explains exactly what this will mean in
association with a few device manufacturers and key developers.
