Shifts and earthquakes

Verizon Wireless’ announcements that it would open its network to certified devices and apps-and further, that it has selected LTE for its fourth-generation technology-kept us pretty busy last week, to say the least.
The open-access provision, allowing certified devices and apps to work on the network, makes sense. Contrary to some critics, I don’t think Verizon Wireless did this as a publicity play. I think the carrier merely saw an opening; without a CEO, Sprint Nextel is having trouble implementing its WiMAX plans. Verizon Wireless simply is telling consumer electronics manufacturers like Sony, with its PlayStation devices, that they should consider using Verizon Wireless’ networks to make their devices wireless. Dell, for example, may want to save some room inside its latest laptops for an LTE chip to sit alongside a WiMAX chip.
Furthermore, I believe the announcement is geared more toward applications developers rather than device makers. If apps developers are scrambling to make applications for Apple’s iPhone to work on rival AT&T Mobility’s network, why not encourage them to make apps that also work on Verizon Wireless’ network. The news also allows Verizon Wireless to bid on the 10-megahertz of spectrum subject to open-access provisions in the upcoming 700 MHz auction.
Verizon Wireless’ announcement that it plans to use LTE technology is more curious. Why now? Work on the LTE protocol is not finished yet. And perhaps that is the reason for the timing of the announcement. It’s no secret LTE backers are frustrated that the WiMAX standard was written faster than the LTE protocol. Another major carrier committing to the technology gives the standard some momentum. I suspect the 3GPP partnership involved in creating the standard wants substantial progress by February’s Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona, Spain.
Going further, perhaps the announcement will help Verizon Wireless and parent company Vodafone Group define the standard. Verizon Wireless will want dual-mode handsets as it transitions its customers from CDMA-based services to LTE services.
One thing is certain: there will be a few more twists and turns for all the players involved on future technology paths. One need only look back at FLEX, CDPD, TDMA and others to realize that.