BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
For more information on Verizon Wireless' open development program, visit
www.verizonwireless.com/opendevelopment.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data
network, serving 70.8 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J.,
with 71,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of
Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more
information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request
broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless
operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at
www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
SOURCE Verizon Wireless
Jeffrey Nelson, Verizon Wireless, +1-908-559-7519,
Jeffrey.Nelson@verizonwireless.com
