http://news.vzw.com/news/2007/11/pr2007-11-27.html

Quote :

"BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Verizon Wireless today announced that it will provide customers the option to use, on its nationwide wireless network, wireless devices, software and applications not offered by the company. Verizon Wireless plans to have this new choice available to customers throughout the country by the end of 2008. In early 2008, the company will publish the technical standards the development community will need to design products to interface with the Verizon Wireless network. Any device that meets the minimum technical standard will be activated on the network. Devices will be tested and approved in a $20 million state-of-the-art testing lab which received an additional investment this year to gear up for the anticipated new demand. Any application the customer chooses will be allowed on these devices. This new option goes beyond just a change in the design, delivery, purchase, and provisioning of wireless devices and applications. “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. “Verizon Wireless is not changing our successful retail model, but rather adding an additional retail option for customers looking for a different wireless experience.” Verizon Wireless will continue to provide a full-service offering, from retail stores where customers can shop, to 24/7 customer service and technical support, to an easy-to-use handset interface and optimized software applications. While most Verizon Wireless customers prefer the convenience of full service, the company is listening through today’s announcement to a small but growing number of customers who want another choice without full service. Both full-service and “bring-your-own” customers will have the advantage of using America’s most reliable network. Following publication of technical standards, Verizon Wireless will host a conference to explain the standards and get input from the development community on how to achieve the company’s goals for network performance while making it easy for them to deliver devices. Verizon Wireless has a track record of listening to customers and transforming entrenched industry practices based on those customer needs. The company parted with the industry last year when it introduced pro-rated early termination fees, and in 2004 when it refused to participate in a wireless directory when customers said they didn’t want one. Verizon Wireless also broke with “wireless tradition” when it supported local number portability because customers wanted the freedom to take their number if they switched service providers. Such responsiveness to customers has earned Verizon Wireless the strongest brand reputation in the industry. "

haha, cool

SUMMARY:
starting next year you can use any device on verizon's network as long as it meets their technical standards. this is major.

11/27/2007 1:02:57 PM

werdz

11/27/2007 1:03:28 PM

hahaha, they realized that people are just going to hack it anyway

11/27/2007 1:04:28 PM

awesome

11/27/2007 1:07:35 PM

usa #1

11/27/2007 1:08:51 PM

sweet

but are they going to keep blocking useful features?

11/27/2007 1:21:01 PM

i use alltel, and really have no reason to switch, but awesome nonetheless

11/27/2007 1:24:16 PM

^^presumably if you don't buy one of their phones, you won't have to worry about it.

[Edited on November 27, 2007 at 1:26 PM. Reason : .]

11/27/2007 1:25:46 PM

cool, good move verizon

11/27/2007 1:27:42 PM

does that mean you can use an iphone with verizon?

11/27/2007 1:28:04 PM

no.

[Edited on November 27, 2007 at 1:29 PM. Reason : wrong kind of network, iphone=gsm, verizon!=gsm]

[Edited on November 27, 2007 at 1:29 PM. Reason : i suck]

11/27/2007 1:28:49 PM

just saw this on arstechnica. very impressive plans, hopefully it'll be implemented fully and not just in a marketing BS way

11/27/2007 1:30:31 PM

it was inevitable but i guess this is a good thing.

does this mean that they will let unneuter their phones from now on?

can you use finally use bluetooth to transfer files?

i'm gonna guess that at first their technical standards are gonna be a bit high, then lowered.

their fees for testing are gonna be insane.

11/27/2007 1:31:06 PM

does this mean, no more locked fones, no more yearly contracts, free sms/mms, cheaper data rates, free incoming calls/msgs, and better prepaid plans?

11/27/2007 1:36:00 PM

not a chance

11/27/2007 1:36:15 PM

11/27/2007 1:37:45 PM

^^^^

Quote :

"The fee for certification of devices will be "surprisingly reasonable," we're told, and the program will be open to anyone. One Verizon exec went so far as to say that if someone builds a device in their basement on a breadboard, Verizon will test it and activate it."

kewl

11/27/2007 1:59:44 PM

no more locked fones?

11/27/2007 2:01:11 PM

they didnt say they'd unlock all their phones, they said any other phone would be able to be tested and possibly activated on their network

11/27/2007 2:02:15 PM

Quote :

"does this mean, no more locked fones, no more yearly contracts, free sms/mms, cheaper data rates, free incoming calls/msgs, and better prepaid plans? "

what the hell, commie

11/27/2007 2:02:57 PM

they need to unlock their shit

i want to be able to tether my laptop to my phone and use EVDO

11/27/2007 2:04:09 PM

then build you a phone that can do it and have it activated

11/27/2007 2:05:29 PM

Quote :

"In all, the move seems to be an acceptance of the openness already embraced by Verizon's largest competitor, AT&T, which has long left its network open to unlocked devices and third-party apps."

-abc

11/27/2007 2:06:58 PM

I imagine the rates would remain roughly the same as they will simply make money from not having to subsidize these phones.

as competition increases rates should drop. I would assume that rates would be more competitive than the current high speed market since cell phone coverage is not limited to the physical constraints as seen with regular bandwidth.

Regardless its a win win situation should all carriers adopt this strategy.

11/27/2007 2:10:25 PM

when they give me a viable linux phone I'm switching. This changes the game, son - THE GAME.

11/27/2007 2:14:35 PM

Quote :

""In all, the move seems to be an acceptance of the openness already embraced by Verizon's largest competitor, AT&T, which has long left its network open to unlocked devices and third-party apps.""

this is only because it is part of the GSM standard

11/27/2007 2:18:01 PM

^^

11/27/2007 2:54:42 PM