A new era in open wireless networks is dawning in the U.S., and an announcement by Verizon Wireless that week about the upcoming release of its “Any Device, Any App” technical specification is one of the milestones.

The carrier said version 1.0 of its specs will be released at its Open Development Device Conference beginning March 19 in New York City. It said the conference will “focus on how traditional device and consumer electronics companies and entrepreneurs new to the wireless ecosystem can bring new wireless devices to the marketplace” under its Open Development Initiative.

Refining the Specs

Verizon Vice President Anthony A. Lewis said the specs will supply a “road map for wireless-device visionaries and tinkerers, as well as existing device makers,” to create products not offered by Verizon but which can run on its network.

He said input from developers at the conference could be used to refine the specs, and 1.0 will be the foundation

for device certification by Verizon. A new “network-only” option will be available that year so non-Verizon wireless devices and applications can run on its service.

The open network represents a “new era” for consumers and businesses, said Chris Hazelton, an analyst with industry research firm IDC.

He noted that, with the release of the open-source mobile platform Android from the Open Handset Alliance last year, and the lobbying effort that resulted in open-network provisions for some of the 700-MHz bandwidth currently being auctioned by the Federal Communications Commission, the major carriers in the U.S. are embracing openness.

IT Challenges

Hazelton pointed out that, although Verizon will issue the specs and supply certification, there will be no support. For the consumer, that means there could be an explosion of choices in third-party applications, services and devices — and possibly independent vendors for support.

Hazelton said the consumer smartphone market…

Original post by Top Tech News