A Look Back At 2008: Open Development At Verizon Wireless

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — About one year ago, Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, announced it would offer new options for using wireless devices, software and applications not provided directly by the company.

Today, just 10 months after its first open development device conference, Verizon Wireless has made tremendous progress, offering devices that fulfill key roles in machine-to-machine (M2M) communications and certifying two independent device testing labs for Verizon Wireless’ open development program.

Anthony A. Lewis, vice president of open development at Verizon Wireless, said, “About one year ago, we began sharing a vision to create new wireless opportunities for businesses and consumers, which would require reinvigorating innovation in the wireless marketplace. Today, we are making progress toward that goal, and looking toward a future where additional devices, as well as applications and software, will be available to customers from a growing portfolio of open development options.”

Key 2008 highlights for Verizon Wireless’ open development program include:

* November 27, 2007 – Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless CEO, announces the company’s open development initiative, with the goal to provide customers the option to use wireless devices, software and applications on its nationwide wireless network that are not offered directly by the company by the end of 2008.
* January 1, 2008 – Anthony A. Lewis begins as vice president of Verizon Wireless’ open development program.
* January 22, 2008 – Verizon Wireless announces its March 2008 Open Development Device Conference, focusing largely on devices to run on the Verizon Wireless network.
* March 19, 2008 – Verizon Wireless hosts its Open Development Device Conference in New York, with more than 600 companies participating. Verizon Wireless also issues Version 1.0 of the technical specifications for new wireless devices to operate on the network.
* May 14, 2008 – Verizon Wireless joins the LiMo Foundation as a board of directors member, helping unify the mobile industry around openness and Linux as the key enablers to lowering development costs.
* June 20, 2008 – Verizon Wireless hosts an open development device webcast for developers that includes program and Web updates to simplify device certification.
* July 1, 2008 – The Prophet wireless inventory telemetry device from Telular (formerly SupplyNet) is certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network – the first device to complete certification through the open development program.
* August 8, 2008 – Behavioral Intervention’s offender tracking wireless anklet is certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network.
* September 23, 2008 – BlueTree’s CDMA (EV-DO Rev. A) 6000 series products are certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network.
* October 21, 2008 – Intertek is designated as the first independent device testing lab for Verizon Wireless’ open development program.
* November 6, 2008 – The Digi Transport family of enterprise-class, multi-function cellular routers, including the Digi Transport WR, Digi Transport DR and Digi Transport SR models, are certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network.
* November 11, 2008 – PCTEST Engineering Laboratory is designated as the second independent device testing lab for Verizon Wireless’ open development program.
* December 16, 2008 – Ambient’s seven models of the X-3000 communications node for utility meters are certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network.
* December 18, 2008 – CalAmp’s 882-EVDO 3G cellular broadband router is certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network and is commercially available.

Verizon Wireless’ open development program is driven by the company’s desire to encourage innovation, give customers new wireless choices, and quickly address opportunities to expand the wireless market. Verizon Wireless will also continue to provide full-service offerings for business and consumer customers.