Verizon announces open network plans for 700Mhz spectrum
By Leslie Poston
Verizon was the big winner in the spectrum auction by the FCC this year, with a couple of other companies (Echostar/Dishnet and AT&T) winning much smaller slivers of the pie. People have been curious how they would handle Google’s backhanded win of an “open network” requirement. Verizon has released their plans, and they have adhered to the open network requirement while still managing to maintain some control.
The control is imperative to their success on the spectrum in the face of challenges by the iPhone and a potential Google phone code named the HTC Dream. The biggest boost will come from their requirement that phones using the network work with their CDMA standard technology. They have a few other restrictions listed in their announcement as “supplemental requirements” that will also help them maintain some control over the network.
To have a phone that works on the open network will probably cost a pretty penny that the average consumer can’t afford. Based on the announcement from Verizon, mobile customers can plan to use the standard 2 year contract plans for a while yet until alternative phones are available that work seamlessly with the spectrum. the reason phones developed for the spectrum will be a bit costly is because, like the iPhone, they won’t be subsidized by Verizon.
Consumers will be able to use the network under a traditional plan, or through plans run by third parties. All phones developed for the network will be branded as Verizon Wireless phones. Verizon stated that it expected to roll out network access in as little as four months, though device development may take longer before consumers see variety and choice in the phones available to them for the spectrum.
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