Verizon Opens Up Network to Outside Devices - New York Times

Bravo for Verizon! This is very big shift in the walled garden model that wireless carriers have operated under heretofore. I have been seriously considering upgrading my cell phone, now more than three years old, but I can wait a little longer for the opportunity to have a decent Google email experience with an open cell phone on a very good network.

I wonder if this gutsy move by Verizon will be followed by Sprint and AT&T? I expect so. Perhaps this is only the first move that will enable Google to be a player in partnership with Verizon in the upcoming 700 MHz frequency auction. Now, I wonder what this means for the close relationship Verizon has had with Microsoft.

Here's a relevant quote from an Information Week story:

"This is a transformation point in the 20-year history of mass market wireless devices -- one which we believe will set the table for the next level of innovation and growth," said Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless' president and chief executive officer, in a statement.

Once the change goes into effect, Verizon Wireless will have two categories of customers: full-service customers -- those that purchase devices and services from Verizon Wireless and receive technical support, and bring-your-own customers -- those that will bring their own devices to the carrier's network without full service."

The NY Times story (11/28/07) is here.

An interesting quote:

“It’s very common and popular in the press to view Google and Verizon at each other’s throats," Mr. McAdam said. “We have far more in common with Google in meeting demands of consumers than in conflict.”

No matter the motivation, many expect the result to be good for consumers. “This is only going to drive innovation for consumers, which is a good thing," said Cyriac Roeding, who is in charge of mobile content efforts at CBS.

If Verizon’s effort is successful, then content creators, software developers and device makers, who have chafed under the control of the wireless companies, will need to show what they can do. At a telecommunications conference in San Francisco, those groups were outwardly hostile toward the carriers, complaining that they were too controlling.

Now, Mr. Entner said, “the ball is in the court of the device manufacturers and software developers.”

“They have to put up or shut up.”

Saul Hansell at the Times has interesting comments.

More here at MarketWatch.com