Verizon opens up about "Any Apps, Any Device"
By Nilay Patel 
posted Mar 19th 2008 3:24PM
posted Mar 19th 2008 3:24PM
We still don't know what happened in the 700MHz auction, but Verizon's going full steam ahead with its open-network policy, holding a press conference today to detail the "Any Apps, Any Device" plan announced back in November. Things should get rolling retail-style by the second half of the year, and it looks like all hardware manufacturers have to do is get their devices certified by Verizon, which characterized the technical requirements as being only slightly stricter than industry standards -- the goal is to allow access to the network without causing problems, but other than that there aren't any UI rules or anything like that. Peace out, BREW. Only FCC-approved devices will be taken in for testing, and there's a fee for certification, but in return manufacturers are promised a four-week turnaround (eight weeks for the "best practices" cert), with mandatory re-testing every 36 months. As far as apps go, it's a free for all -- customers can do as they wish. Verizon said that the open policy will still be in force when LTE rolls out -- the big push into EV-DO was a winning bet, so it's going to try and be aggressive with 4G as well. The best part? A new flat-rate, multi-device service plan is being considered that would allow all your mobile devices to connect for the price of a single subscription. All in all, a surprising set of announcements for Big Red -- in one fell swoop, it's gone from the most locked-down carrier being at least on par with the GSM networks, and potentially even more flexible if these pricing plans actually pan out. Hmmm, is that a mad rush of Android devs we hear?
do you think we will be seeing more phones with Wifi now that verizon is "opening up" (considering that verizon loves their EVDO + Vcast)
On par with GSM? Why is Verizon getting their hand held with this? This still isn't even CLOSE to GSM in terms of open availability for phones. Not only that, but where's Verizon's SIM cards? Yeah that's what I thought.
Also they're only guaranteeing any apps for the phones that they WON'T support. What about phones that THEY sell. And why DON'T they support the phones they certify. GSM carriers try and support phones even if they're not sold directly from them (well at least ATT does).
Sim cards are coming with LTE.
Verizon isn't going to support all of those certified devices because that is not their role in this particular venture. Judging by what I have read today Verizon will continue doing business as usual with their Verizon branded phones sold through their traditional channels. That includes locking down of devices, and supporting them on the same level they currently do.
Through this new system Verizon's robust network will become simply a "dump pipe" for all of these new certified devices. Something people have been screaming for, for years. There are potentially millions of devices on the horizon from hundreds (if not thousands) of manufacturers. Verizon can't (and shouldn't try to) support them all. That will be left in the hands of the manufacturer, as it should be. And because the devices are pre-certified for the network, there aren't supposed to be any connection issues.
And there is no need for a sim card on Verizon's network. Any "unlocked" compatible phone or other device with a valid certified serial number will be allowed to operate on their network. No need for switching or swapping sims. The question still remains if Verizon will be open in the opposite direction. Will they now be willing to unlock their own devices to work on competitor's (Sprint, Alltel, etc.) networks.
And I would love to hear about being able to get support out of AT&T or any other domestic GSM for an unlocked device you purchased from overseas.
@apjain
SIM cards are NOT coming with LTE. Verizon is still gonna be using CDMA as basis for their network until they completely roll out LTE to ALL their towers which is gonna be a LONG LONG time (like 10 years from now).
@xB Owner
While clearly, ATT can't support the actual hardware themselves (because they have no information on it), if you call or get support online they CAN help you get it working on their service. It's so easy it's not even funny. All they have to do is give you the proper ATT internet configuration settings and you're good to go.
As for SIM cards: a lot of people have different phones for different purposes and there is definitely a very clear reason to have phones with interchangeable SIM cards. If for no other reason then to be able to travel overseas.
xB Owner said:
"There is no need for a sim card on Verizon's network".
You are right, seen as Verizon uses CDMA/EV-DO. This also means that you need to call Verizon customer support if/when you change phone, and give them the serial number of your phone. (This is how you are identified on their network).
Frankly, the SIM card is a much cleaner solution. It makes it trivial to swap phones (something I am doing right now; I purchased a Sony Ericsson k850i in a local store while my Nokia N95 is in for repair; I will return it once my N95 comes back..)
I completely understand the procedural difference between swapping out a sim and calling into the carrier for a phone swap. My understanding is that these two options are tied into the differing technologies used by the carriers. (CDMA vs. GSM.) And even if Verizon were able to (by some small miracle) begin installing sim slots into their CDMA phones, they would still be virtually useless overseas. (Or domestically for that matter if no other CDMA provider was on board.)
It would still appear that with this policy change for Verizon there will be a couple significant differences between what you can do with them and with a GSM (ATT) carrier. With GSM it will still be a simple card swap with zero guarantee a device or any of its features will work on the new network. (Most features probably will, but if you hit a road block there really is no support from carrier or manufacturer.) With Verizon your choices will still likely be more limited than GSM, but certified non-Verizon devices will be guaranteed to work on the network. Verizon will back up the connection to the network. Software and hardware issues beyond connecting will have to fall back on individual manufacturers. And yes, you will still have to contact Verizon any time you want to activate a new device on your account.
I am just hopeful that this (and the OHA) helps to push all carriers into a more "dumb pipe" style service. Open up your network, and let me choose the device I want to use on it.
And for those thinking I am a Verizon fan boy, it couldn't be further from the truth. I have been with them since T-Mobile hit the US back in '01. And now I am looking to leave them and find a new carrier. I'm waiting to see how a few things within the industry (as well as some phone releases) pan out before making the leap into a two year agreement with either AT&T or Verizon. And right now I am leaning toward AT&T, even though they don't have 3G in my home town.
Wow. There are fanboys for mobile standards, too? What do you DO with your life to be so pathetic?
i agree, there's no way this will even put them "on par" with gsm. i can go to europe and buy an unlocked se w850, bring it home and pop my sim card in it and start using it right away on at&t. hell, i could even use it over there if i wanted to rack up my bill.
So is the "later this year" time-frame for first devices make it almost a lock that these devices will be Android hand sets (considering they are saying later this year for their first release)
Verizon (and other CDMA providers) have the ability and technology to use sim cards int heir devices. They chose not to. If they want to start using sim cards in their new phones, it wouldn't be difficult in any way, especially now with their whole "open network" plan.
China's Unicom, which uses CDMA technology, has SIM cards for their phones.
I'd welcome Verizon make the SIM switch :)
If you or a manufacture want to make a phone with a SIM card for global or local purposes, I'm sure Verizon will let you. I.E. A Verizon/AT&T or Unlocked phone and that roam on both networks. Do not expect SIM on LTE unless it's for Global purposes.
Verizon would support these devices if there was a Network Issue, but if it's a Device Issue then call the manufacture. The same would be said for using a T-mobile Shadow on AT&T
I think you misunderstand a thing or two about the "unlocked" phones that are currently available. None of them will work with Verizon, as these are invariably GSM phones (some with 3G/W-CDMA support).
Let's say that manufacturers start selling OEM CDMA phones for use with Verizon; you will still need to call Verizon customer support to have such a phone registered/usable on their network. As such, it is not really "unlocked" in the same sense that a GSM/SIM-capable phone is unlocked - where you can swap handsets at will. Plus, the phone still has to be on Verizons "approved list" (certified by them and all) for you to be able to use it on their network.
Obviously, LTE will not be an "instant-on" switchover for all of Verizon's towers. It will be a slow process like any other network changeover. But I think LTE devices will use SIM cards for interoperability and global roaming (but I don't know if its a requirement in the final spec?) I'm guessing Verizon Wireless might adopt SIMs so that Vodafone and Verizon can leverage their relationship and offer more devices with global roaming. It will also get better support from OEMs. Naturally, the first Verizon LTE devices will probably be dual-mode CDMA/LTE, and the CDMA radio access probably won't use SIM provisioning.
So after this takes effect, will i be able to use my Japanese GSM Vodafone cellphone that takes a sim card? or will DoCoMo CDMA cell phones work on Verizon's CDMA network? if not then i dont see how you will be able to have any other phone than a Verizon wireless cellphone
Verizon's network is not GSM. So either Verizon will contract with a GSM provider to offer GSM service in the US, or else Open Access will still require a CDMA handset to have any coverage in the United States. Not sure what will happen, becuase it would be the best undeniable coverage to have a network that can use CDMA/GSM towers in the US which would leverage Verizon + cdma partners + potentiall GSM (ATT or TMo) networks. That would mean if you can get a cell phone signal with any provider you would get it with vzw. Will that happen? I highly doubt it since no GSM carrier here is touting open access with CDMA devices.
What this will mean though is that if Sprint, Verizon Wireless and Alltel all adapt these policies it will be more profitable for cell phone providers to produce more CDMA handsets. Nokia has very limited CDMA handset availability because it is not as lucrative for them as GSM is. This is a very very good development, and I look to see Sprint/Alltel to follow suit.
Dont forget Vodaphone owns verizon wireless.
I've enjoyed the discussion about verizon and their lack of sim use. But everyone is missing 1 point. ITS ABOUT THE MONEY! Verizon charges an activation fee every time you switch phones. I know because I would like to be able to switch phones for different useses and was told if I do it over the net on their web site or call I would be charged $10.00 each time I switched phones. Just waiting till contract is up this fall.