Verizon Wireless opens network to "Any Apps, Any Device" in 2008
By the end of 2008, Verizon Wireless will open their network to any device which meets a "minimum technical standard." What that standard is, exactly, VZW isn't saying yet -- that will come in "early 2008." So any device (including applications) tested and certified in VZW's new $20 Million test lab is fair game for use on their wireless network. In other words, Verizon becomes the data pipe, and nothing more for these new "bring-your-own" customers. It's too early to say if this is a watershed moment or not. Verizon certainly thinks so with Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless president and chief executive officer, calling it, "a transformation point in the 20-year history of mass market wireless devices." As usual, the devil (certification fees, turnaround times for testing, those magical minimum technical standards, etc.) might be in the details.P.S. In case you're wondering, Verizon is currently not a member of Android's Open Handset Alliance.
Filed under: Verizon Wireless
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
blazingwolf @ Nov 27th 2007 8:22AM
One can hope that this is great news. Something we have all been waiting for. I have a feeling though that Verizon will make it really hard to accomplish.
Steven @ Nov 27th 2007 8:58AM
Well if verizon follows through with this, will that mean they'll be switching to GSM? or what? Does anyone know if it means any phone that meets their standards or strictly any CDMA phones or what.. This is great news but I don't really know how it would all go down... Anyone out there know anything about this or have a hunch about it..?
Mark Richardson @ Nov 27th 2007 9:29AM
Get serious. They're not switching to GSM. They'd have to go around installing GSM equipment on every VZW tower to even begin to pull that off.
They're just going to allow phones from, say, Sprint, US Cellular, or Alltel to run on their network.
Randy @ Nov 27th 2007 9:35AM
They have announced earlier this year that they are going to LTE, which is the the next Evolution of GSM. So yeah they are going to switch. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that they will implement SIM cards for access. We'll have to wait and see.
Mark Richardson @ Nov 27th 2007 9:54AM
@Randy
You're right, they are eventually switching to LTE, but that has absolutely nothing to do with this "Any Apps, Any Device" announcement.
john @ Nov 27th 2007 10:39AM
It just means that they'll allow devices with ESN's that they didn't sell to be added to their network.
Personally, I'm not just "not a verizon fan", I'm an anti-verizon fan... so this isn't directly important to me. The way it will matter to me is the effect it will have on the market. Sprint is already on its way to opening up its network (wasn't there a settlement a few weeks back?). So, two of the big 4 US carriers are now opening up to some extent.
How will this pressure the small CDMA carriers (especially MetroPCS)? How will this pressure the GSM carriers here (T-Mobile and AT&T being the big two)? If MetroPCS, T-Mobile, and AT&T become more open, then that's "all good" from my perspective.
derX @ Nov 27th 2007 4:32PM
"How will this pressure the GSM carriers here (T-Mobile and AT&T being the big two)?"
Umm, they're GSM carrier, they've always had the "Any Device carrier," but what makes it even better is your don't have to chose from a device that meets a "minimum technical standard." Just like their "unlimited" plan, it should be named "Any" device, accordingly: if it must meet a "minimum technical standard," then it must have been tested and preapproved, meaning just *any* device will not do.
Now, to the "Any App" section. I am not sure how this one will go, but it sounds like good news. But let's just hope that "Any App" you choose wouldn't pull too much bandwidth (assuming it requires the internet, of course) because your unlimited internet plan isn't too unlimited.
------------
Sounds nice, let's just hope it's implemented well.....it's VZW, so I'm naturally kinda skeptical, here.
Nate @ Nov 27th 2007 9:37AM
What would be truly revolutionary is if they (and other carriers) stop trying to control every aspect of the user's experience and really just be the data pipe. For example, stop trying to sell ringtones, operate second-rate music services, and such nonsense, and start making devices that users can control. Verizon is pretty bad about this now - my dad's phone had links for maybe five places to buy ringtones from, but I bet it won't let him make his own.
Eight or so years ago I had my PC set up to be the answering machine on my land line, and its greeting was a WAV file that I recorded with all kinds of neat recording tricks. Why can't I do that now and upload it to my voicemail? Why can't I walk into my house and let my phone sync its contacts with my computer over my wireless network? Why should I pay my carrier a monthly fee to backup less than one megabyte of contacts data when I can put 2 gigs on a thumb drive?
With an internet connection at home, I can do whatever I please with my computer - use whatever online services I want, install what I want, customize what I want. My cell phone should be the same way.
I hope this is a step in that direction.
elgee02 @ Nov 27th 2007 12:46PM
"my dad's phone had links for maybe five places to buy ringtones from, but I bet it won't let him make his own."
All VZW phones have exactly one and only one place to purchase ringtones, and that is through the Get It Now - Music & Tones menu.
And most VZW phones allow you to use your own ringtones. I been doing it on my enV with no problem.
Josh @ Nov 27th 2007 9:45AM
Not necessarily, Randy. It was a Vodafone exec that reported Verizon Wireless' pending devotion to the LTE standard (which makes sense considering Vodafone's undying desire for Verizon to conform to the worldwide wireless standard). In a separate interview of Verizon execs, it was reported that all options (meaning LTE, UMB and WiMax) remained on the table.
ShortFuse @ Nov 27th 2007 9:51AM
This does not mean GSM devices. CDMA devices do allow you to change providers and people have been doing it on Verizon for a while now. Check out howardforums. People buy Alltel versions of phones and then switch it to work for Verizon. Same goes for Sprint.
I don't think this has anything to do with GSM. LTE isn't even ready for implementation.
From HowardForums:
"1. GSM/TDMA/iDEN Phones are NOT COMPATIBLE with Verizon Wireless. This includes phones from companies(or phones which work on these such companies) such as T-Mobile, Cingular, AT&T Wireless, and Nextel.
2. Unless changed, or you get an exception, whatever phone you wish to use on the Verizon Network must support both CDMA 800 and CDMA 1900. Older Verizon Phones only worked with CDMA800, but I don't believe Verizon will activate them anymore.
3. If you have a CDMA800/1900 phone, you need to know the MSL(Master subsidary lock) code. For phones sold by Verizon, and Alltel for that matter, the MSL code is usually 000000, unless its Verizon Prepay(Search for the Alltell Nokia 3585i Wallyworld special threads for information on the Alltel prepaid and how it is unlocked). If you know the MSL code, you should also try to change it to 000000, such that Verizon's OTA programming can program the phone and push the latest PRL to the phone.
Sprint PCS/US Cellular Phones almost always have a MSL that is dependent on the ESN(Electronic Serial Number) of the phone.
4. If you activate a non Verizon phone on Verizon, certain features, ie web browser, picture/text messaging may or may not work. There is no guarantee if something will or will not work.
5. All handsets must be e911 compliant in order to be activated. This is to satisfy the FCC's requirement of all carriers to have at least 95% of their subscribers using e911 compliant handsets."
Wobbly @ Nov 27th 2007 10:05AM
"It's too early to say if this is a watershed moment or not." It's a day late and a dollar short, IMO. They already mucked this up by chosing CDMA
Chris Przybycien @ Nov 27th 2007 11:20AM
This is a pathetic attempt to upstage Android.
This is the same carrier that disabled basic bluetooth features on phones to protect their revenue streams and those of its partners. Would Verizon really start allowing apps which could provide content that competes with them and their partners?
Like all good marketers all they've done here is employ skilled manipulation of language to make it seem like they're doing something that completely contradicts their corporate strategies thus far.
Brad @ Nov 27th 2007 11:36AM
yeah, what he said
Big Sam @ Nov 27th 2007 11:42AM
I've been able to use any unlocked GSM phone on AT&T or T-mobile for years. This is just Verizon doing a PR grab... again.
LordObento @ Nov 27th 2007 12:24PM
This is interesting because Verizon is the last company I would think would do this because of their roll in fighting the 700Mhz Spectrum Auction rules on Open Access. Verizon doesn't have alot of spectrum (which is why we see data caps on EVDO) compared to Sprint. They must have something up their sleeve like plan on taking all the 700mhz in the up coming auction or something. I know they want the emergency responder band in the auction since they purposed it to the FCC after Siren's Call. In the end... don't expect Open Access Slingboxes with Verizon.
bernardino @ Nov 27th 2007 2:33PM
Good point, in fact this announcement coincides perfectly with their inevitable bid for the 700Mhz spectrum. Originally they fought, and the CTIA is still fighting, the "any device, any app" provision, but it was injected into the terms anyways. Then they hoped the auction would not meet the FCC minimum of $15bn and tried to call Google's bluff, but realized Google was not bluffing. So now the facts are that the "any device, any app" provision is in the terms and will stay there given that the auction will definitely go over $15bn with Google in the game. Given that, Verizon has no choice to play along if they even want a chance at snagging the spectrum.
Of course, as was mention in this and a previous engadget article, the devil is in the details. Given that the "any device, any app" provision applies only if said device/app does not interfere with the network, ie. meets the carrier's standards, the winning bidding still holds a lot of power as they can still block any device or app simply under the guise of its use causing network problems.
mmascari @ Nov 27th 2007 1:13PM
I'm seeing a whole lot of short sightedness in these comments. Who said the device had to be a phone?
Other cool wireless option:
- Tivo anywhere
- New option for mobile TV
- GPS that keeps updated with new POI, traffic, etc (beyond what already exists)
- Handheld Engadget mobile device
Chris @ Nov 27th 2007 2:26PM
I think Verizon is probably still evil: http://community.eqo.com/blog/chris/verizon_still_evil
crow610 @ Nov 27th 2007 4:10PM
This is obviously Verizon's answer to the OHA.
trooth @ Nov 27th 2007 4:29PM
Lets put aside the idea that any company that is out to make a profit is "evil" nonsense. Let's also put aside the fact that Verizon Wireless is at the top of JD Power surveys along with T-Mobile in all regions of the country which means that verizon wireless customers are satisfied with verizon wireless more than sprint customers are satisfied with sprint, or at&t customers are satisfied with at&t or alltel customers are satisfied with alltel. The majority of people who are mad at a carrier or service are mad because they got turned over to collections for not paying their bills, or are mad because that service would not give them free phones. But I digress.
Most of you in your blind hate of Verizon Wireless has missed what is going on here. Sprint announced allowing open access for their phones to be used on other carriers, and to bring in other carriers phones to be used on their service. Other carriers means Verizon Wireless, Alltel, US Cellular and smaller cdma carriers. Verizon Wireless and Sprint makes up the vast majority of CDMA users in the United States. For Sprint to offer this and it truly work smoothly, the other carriers have to offer it too. For Verizon Wireless to have this policy and for it to work Sprint has to offer it too. Between Verizon Wireless and Sprint there is 110+ million users and between the two companies they are the vast majority of cdma users in the US, the other cdma carriers will want to follow suit as well so they can make offers to Verizon Wireless and Sprint customers to change to their service and they can bring their equipment. The customer's want this and this is what the CDMA companies are doing, it is great that you could do it on GSM networks before, now they can't hold that over CDMA carrier's heads. It is required for competition, and that makes business sense.
The other major factor that is pushing both Sprint and Verizon Wireless as stated in the replies here is the pending 700mhz sell, and more specifically a portion of the spectrum being set aside to only be used as open access. Verizon Wireless and AT&T and Sprint all pitched a fit because of the open access stipulation for obvious reasons (IPhone with AT&T, CDMA's lack of a SIM card type of solution for allowing different phones to be used). Verizon Wireless screamed the loudest which is an obvious indicator that they plan to buy into the spectrum heavily. 700mhz will offer better range and penetration than 800mhz (which is heavily used by verizon wireless in their established areas) which has about twice the range as 1900mhz (PCS has about a mile and a half range and poor building penetration) and is what verizon wireless has to settle on to get into areas where there is not much spectrum left. For verizon wireless to keep their level of network service superiority up, they will need to get the 700mhz bandwidth. A large chunk of that bandwidth is designated as open access, Verizon Wireless has to change to open access to bid on it. Makes business sense.
Verizon Wireless is a for profit business. They will look at their bottom line on every decision they make. For the haters out there, you all pitch a fit everytime Verizon Wireless does something that addresses your arguments against them (prorated ETF, no contracts for plan changes, ability to use other companies phones now).
nmason @ Nov 27th 2007 7:26PM
Wow, who let the VZW fanboi out?
You know someone's on the right track when they start making assumptions about a consumer's financial status based on their dislike of a carrier. It's unfortunate that you equate "smarter than you" with "bad at paying bills."
The fact of the matter is this - VZW is well known for perpetuating their image of being an anti-consumer company. Regardless of tiny concessions they have made in terms of allowing customers things like prorated Early Termination Fees, plan changing sans contract, and now ability to use other carrier's CDMA phones on their network - ignoring that all of these being offered by all the other big carriers in the US now - VZW has done numerous things to prevent the end user from using features built into their handset by the manufacturers.
Things previous commenters have mentioned, like the ability to buy ringtones from someone other than VZW, or the ability to use Bluetooth to transfer data and contacts to and from the device they already own, have turned many tech-savvy consumers away from the big red machine.
If you buy a BMW, you don't want to get it home to find it's got a Yugo engine in it. The same applies to cellphones and their carriers - and to be fair all US carriers limit handsets in some form or fashion - but most especially applies to VZW.
VZW does have some positives - they have a strong network, their UI is simple and is generally the same from phone to phone (nevermind how ugly it is, media != function), and they are rapidly becoming a good place for Joe Consumer to get his cellphone on...
but in that same regard, you just can't nickle and dime people to death for stuff they've already paid for. Eventually the consumer WILL catch on, and you can't get your panties in a bunch because a group of people who know better (the above commenters) are taking VZW's newfound "graciousness" with a dumptruck full of salt.
Navi Thach @ Nov 27th 2007 11:14PM
the people who use Verizon are people that need their cell phones to make a call and stay connected - me for example and also Hollister kiddies who think the Chocolate/enV/Venus/Voyager/Juke are oh so cool. When will VZW wake up and smell the coffee and join the OHA instead of that they call "open" access, VZW and Qualcomm still have final say. We'll see what pans out in 2009. IF VZW still has their old antics, it's back to AT&T after 4 years.
haternot @ Nov 28th 2007 1:22AM
Trooth: I couldn't agree with you more. I rarely post on this forum simply because people usually have nothing but hate comments for any carrier other than what they are using. It truly cracks me up! Sure you can find faults in ANY carrier but the VZW haters seem to scream the loudest when they put a foot forward in a good direction. I have owned phones from all the big carriers and currently use the iphone with Att. All the haters can trash VZW all they want and say how horrible they are, but when it comes to the bottom line of customer satisfaction, they have been at the top of the list for a long time. If you don't like VZW then go with the carrier of your choice, it's your right! But don't be foolish with alot of these comments, vzw has a business model that has worked VERY well and they have the numbers to back it up. Readers can trash my comments all they want, but facts are facts. All I am saying is don't be foolish, VZW customers are clearly the happiest customers in the industry with their provider. Just the facts!....
deano.public @ Nov 27th 2007 7:21PM
I agree that there is some short-sightedness and VZW-hating going on. This announcement is monumental. Yes VZW is using it for good PR but you can't blame them, that's half the point.
Sure this will let you use a phone you bought on Sprint on VZW if you switch, but think bigger - like when companies such as HTC and Samsung start to release "unlocked" CDMA phones with WHATEVER FEATURES THEY WANT ON IT, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth Tethering - all of the features VZW is notorious and infamous for stripping out. And selling them directly to the consumer.
Now think of the other types of devices that can now use the EVDO Rev A network - like TiVo's, eBook readers, Zunes, alert watches, home video monitoring systems - anything.
Added up, this is huge, regardless of your opinion of VZW to date.
derX @ Nov 27th 2007 10:05PM
"Sure this will let you use a phone you bought on Sprint on VZW if you switch, but think bigger - like when companies such as HTC and Samsung start to release "unlocked" CDMA phones with WHATEVER FEATURES THEY WANT ON IT, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth Tethering - all of the features VZW is notorious and infamous for stripping out. And selling them directly to the consumer."
-->"Verizon Wireless will open their network to any device which meets a 'minimum technical standard.'" Thus, if your device doesn't pass this test for whatever reason, you cannot use it...and we all know how fair VZW is, I'm sure that won't pose a problem at all. *struck by lightening for lying*
I really am not trying to disagree with you this point; I am just curious. You said, "Now think of the other types of devices that can now use the EVDO Rev A network - like TiVo's, eBook readers, Zunes..." How does the will the Zune be able to use the EVDO network?
andrewon44th @ Nov 27th 2007 10:10PM
I'm a little miffed on the timing...I just wrote a paper on cell phone unlocking and I this takes much of the wind out of my sails. One of my conclusions in the paper was that locked phones not only prevent innovation, but the large retail & support network the wireless companies have are a total waste. Your average engadget reader could tell you more about the phones then the average wireless phone retailer. It's bad for customers, bad for phone manufacturers who can't move complex phones, and a drain on wireless providers.
Still, your only option for an unlocked CDMA phone is to get one abroad. Sprint and Alltel still keep theirs locked (Sprint's settlement is pending approval). I noted a few grey market (refurbished/second hand) online retailers selling unlocked CDMA phones, but I don't know of any carriers right now who let you use them on their CDMA network.
Scott @ Nov 28th 2007 6:18PM
Helio Ocean, welcome to Verizon!
Kevin @ Nov 28th 2007 7:28PM
If this comes out to be true, OpenMoko should develop CDMA version of thier phone.
Or maybe I can at least get to use my old Helio Ocean again!
master0fursinz @ Nov 28th 2007 10:58PM
guys check out vanu.com, you will see the great software that will hopefully solve the LTE issue over CDMA network thus allowing any app any device to work for vzw.
Dave @ Dec 1st 2007 9:39PM
Not understanding the super hype behind this. Great that a major is recognizing the desire by consumers to have more options. However, this is just them allowing other devices not sold by them to be allowed to be placed on into their systems. A split system is good bc it lets users decide if they want the pre-fab verizon service or to go all at it on their own. Almost like, AOL or raw internet experience.
But overall, isn't this pretty much what all GSM users have access to today. Granted Tmo and ATT don't really promote it, but can't we buy unlocked phones, put our SIM in, and then rock the latest and greatest. Verizon is just getting up the speed of the GSM carriers bc you normally had to get their ok to have your phone entered into their system due the technology they use (CDMA phone). Thank you Verizon for bringing attention and focus to the topic but please don't act like your revolutionizing the wireless (or even just the USA) phone market.
The D Train @ Dec 2nd 2007 11:30AM
See your statement was okay, right up until the end.
It may not be revolutionizing the entire cell phone market in the US, but CDMA tech is generally locked down due to ESN verification in the cell sites and switch prior to a call even being completed. Now we're opening it up to any ESN with CDMA bands so long as it is free and clear of any contracts from other carriers.
It may seem like its a big deal, because it is a big deal. CDMA has had the ability to say activate a sprint or alltel phone on vzw if it is flashed appropriately, but now it will be as simple as calling an 800 number to activate it.
icarus @ Dec 4th 2007 7:26PM
just a side note about all the ringtone bitching. first off, you can maike your own and use them on any VZW phone. secondly, i popped open my EnV and there were 6 different places i could get ringtones from, 5 of which aren't owned by verizon
playdrv4me @ Jan 11th 2008 3:55PM
Does this mean that Verizon may also stop raping for data usage?
This is an interesting bit of news, but my preference for Sprint over VZW has less to do with what new toy I can bring on their network, and more to do with their ridiculous 59.99 a month unlimited data/tether charges (and it's the default if you have a PDA phone no matter what).
Sprint's data service is a full 20.00 cheaper and works in more places for me (1xRTT of course), than Verizon's flaky data service ever did.
elgee02 @ Dec 1st 2007 5:27PM
Not according to Sprint's website it's not cheaper... either you got hooked up with some old grandfathered or loyalty offer or you are making stuff up.
The D Train @ Dec 1st 2007 7:51PM
The internet is full of win!