Skype

Skype blasts CTIA over "open" networks

Sue Marek — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:00:54 -0400

In another letter to the FCC, Skype's Senior Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs Chris Libertelli blasted the CTIA and Sprint Nextel for writing the FCC and claiming that the "entire Internet is open" when in fact, even the most-recently announced handsets still block the Skype application, proving that the claim of openness is false.

Libertelli also said that the CTIA's claim of openness in the wireless industry directly contradicts that association's current litigation with the FCC in which it wants the commission to "overturn the very openness rule they now claim to embrace," Libertelli writes. If the wireless industry is serious about openness, Libertelli says, CTIA would immediately withdraw that litigation.

Open networks is a major theme in the industry right now and was a hot topic at the CTIA I.T. and Entertainment conference in San Francisco last month. Last April while speaking at the CTIA Wireless conference, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told the audience that the FCC would deny Skype's petition to apply the Carterphone rules to the mobile phone industry. The Carterphone rules were enacted in the 1960s to force the POTS industry to allow devices other than those provided by the old AT&T to connect to the network. However, at this time, the petition has not been dismissed.

For more:
- see Libertelli's letter to the FCC

Related articles:
Skype official calls out carriers on "open" networks
CTIA: Carriers talk "open" network but no clear definition
CTIA Day 1 Keynote: FCC chairman dismisses Skype petition

Skype official calls out carriers on "open" networks

Phil Goldstein — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:26:55 -0400

In a strongly-worded letter to the FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, a Skype official complained that the major U.S. wireless carriers were all talk when it came to "open" networks, and that if the Commission wanted to live up to its stated goal of making open networks more accessible, it would affirm that this policy covers wireless networks.

Christopher Libertelli, Skype's senior director of government and regulatory affairs for North America, said that last week at the CTIA Wireless I.T. and Entertainment conference in San Francisco, the major U.S. carriers paid lip service to the idea of open networks, but strongly cautioned that too much choice would lead to chaos, and damage the viability of their business model.

Libertelli stated that, "The attitude of the wireless carriers was perhaps best summed up in Sprint Nextel Corp. CEO Dan Hesse's recent comment: 'The big Internet can be daunting... There can be too much choice.' This stands in stark contrast to the Commission's wise policies designed to promote as much consumer choice as possible."

He said Skype was mindful of the challenges wireless carriers faced in moving to an open network. But he also said it was not enough to simply talk about open networks.

"Consumer choice, competition and free markets, not carriers acting to block competition, should win the day in wireless--now, not later," he said. "If the Commission believed that the transition to more open networks was going to proceed quickly, statements out of CTIA's convention suggest just the opposite."

"Openness" was a major theme of the conference in San Francisco, and the first keynote session included Sprint Nextel's Hesse as well T-Mobile USA's CEO Robert Dotson and Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam speaking about what "open" meant to their companies.

For more:
- see the letter

Related Articles:
CTIA: Carriers talk "open" network but no clear definition
What is open anyway?

Skype launches mobile app for 50 handsets

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:59:55 -0400

Not surprisingly, having its Carterphone petition called for dismissal by the FCC chairman is not slowing Skype's ambition in the mobile market: Skype is now offering a beta client of its VoIP calling software for some 50 handsets. The client will include Skype to Skype calling, SkypeIn, Skype out, Group chat and presence. The company is launching the service in eight initial markets--one of which is the U.K. The U.S., Australia, France and Germany, however, have been excluded from the beta launch so far.

"These are still the early days for making Skype calls on mobile phones, but we've already made great strides in this space," said Gareth O'Loughlin, GM of mobile and hardware devices at Skype.

For more:
- read this article from ITProPortal

Skype expands unlimited calling plans

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 06:59:55 -0400

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Skype launched its first unlimited calling plans to phones overseas. For $9.95 a month, Skype users can now make unlimited calls to landline phones in 34 countries that include most of Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and more. The plan also includes domestic calls to both landlines and mobile phones. Users can call mobile phones in Canada, China, Hong Kong and Singapore, but not to mobiles in other countries.

For more:
- read this article on Skype's unlimited plans

FCC chairman denies Skype's Carterphone petition

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:59:57 -0400

During yesterday's keynote address, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin drew applause from the audience when he announced that the commission was going to deny Skype's petition to apply the "Carterphone" rules to the mobile phone industry. The Carterphone rules were enacted in the 1960s to force the POTS industry to allow devices other than those provided by the old AT&T to connect to the network.

Martin said that it would be premature for the commission to add more requirements to wireless carriers now that so many operators have started embracing a more open environment. Specifically he said that the 700 MHz spectrum requirements for open access had caused many operators to recognize the benefits of open platforms for networks. Verizon Wireless, of course, has said it will open its entire network to devices and applications. In addition, he said that operators like T-Mobile USA, Sprint and AT&T will embrace openness with applications.

Skype later issued a response to the chairman's remarks expressing disappointment with the chairman's comments and that the petition was consistent with the recent 700 MHz auction.

"Without Commission oversight in the area, the FCC will have taken a step backward away from openness, and toward a policy of 'trust the carriers.' While we are cautiously optimistic that the carriers will deliver greater openness, unfortunately, if the FCC acts on the Chairman's recommendation, it will have given up any tools to protect consumers if they do not," says Christopher Libertelli, Skype's Senior Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs in a release.

- See all our photos of the keynotes in our slideshow

Related stories:
On the Hot Seat with Skype's Chris Libertelli. Interview
Skype petitions to FCC for open cellular access. Story

Skype responds to FCC Chairman Martin's keynote remarks

Mike Dolan — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:56:45 -0400

In today's keynote address, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin announced that the commission was going to deny SkypeÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s petition to apply the "Carterphone" rules to the mobile phone industry.

Skype later issued a response to the chairman's remarks expressing disappointment with the chairman's comments and that the petition was consistent with the recent 700 MHz auction.

"Without Commission oversight in the area, the FCC will have taken a step backward away from openness, and toward a policy of 'trust the carriers.' While we are cautiously optimistic that the carriers will deliver greater openness, unfortunately, if the FCC acts on the Chairman's reccommendation, it will have given up any tools to protect consumers if they do not," says Christopher Libertelli, Skype's Senior Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs in a release.Ã‚Â

CTIA Day 1 Keynote: FCC chairman dismisses Skype petition

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:11:49 -0400

During todayÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s keynote address, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin drew applause from the audience when he announced that the commission was going to deny SkypeÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s petition to apply the Ã¢â‚¬Å“CarterphoneÃ¢â‚¬Â rules to the mobile phone industry. The Carterphone rules were enacted in the 1960s to force the POTS industry to allow devices other than those provided by the old AT&T to connect to the network.

Martin said that it would be premature for the commission to add more requirements to wireless carriers now that so many operators have started embracing a more open environment. Specifically he said that the 700 MHz spectrum requirements for open access had caused many operators to recognize the benefits of open platforms for networks. Verizon Wireless, of course, has said it will open its entire network to devices and applications. In addition, he said that operators like T-Mobile USA, Sprint and AT&T will embrace openness with applications.

Related stories:
On the Hot Seat with SkypeÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Chris Libertelli. Interview
Skype petitions to FCC for open cellular access. Story

Publisher's Note: Our 4G seminar at CTIA Wireless

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:59:59 -0500

Publisher's Note: Our 4G seminar at CTIA Wireless

I am pleased to announce a new FierceWireless event, The Path to 4G @ CTIA Wireless. Conceived by the editors of FierceWireless, The Path to 4G is a one-day seminar on the latest insights and information related to 4G. We are hosting it at CTIA Wireless 2008 as an official partner of the show. Here are some quick bullet points on the event:

Featured speakers:

Barry West, CTO and President of Xohm, Sprint Nextel
Christopher Libertelli, Senior Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, North America, Skype
Atish Gude, Senior Vice President, Xohm Business Operations, Sprint Nextel
Andrew Seybold, Founder & Principal, Andrew Seybold Inc.
Peter Jarich, Principal Analyst, Current Analysis
Mark Slater, Head of Business Development, Nokia Siemens Networks, North America

Topics covered:

Standards: What is 4G and how it will be defined by the ITU?
Spectrum: The spectrum requirements for each 4G technology and whether operators have enough bandwidth to deploy it
Technology Trials: What we have learned so far about the performance of these competing technologies
Deployment: The challenges to deploying 4G
Market Demand: Consumer demand for next-generation high speed mobile broadband, and the applications that will drive 4G

When it takes place: Wed, April 2 from 11AM-5PM on-site at the Las Vegas Convention Center

How to register: Sign up for "The Path to 4G" as you register to attend CTIA Wireless.

Early-bird discount: Expires Feb. 25. Register now and save.

Agenda: view agenda

I hope the above information speaks for itself... This is an event you will not want to miss. Be sure to register by Feb. 25 to benefit from the early-bird discount. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Jeff Giesea
Publisher, FierceWireless
jeff@fiercemarkets.com

Skype: Where are all the WiMAX devices?

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:59:58 -0500

For Gareth O'Loughlin, Skype's general manager of mobile and hardware devices, this year's Mobile World Congress show has looked to meet the challenge of bringing the Internet experience to the mobile handset. While this tired premise has garnered little fanfare, the solutions for porting the Internet experience to the mobile phone have not yet fully coalesced. The prevailing mindset of most carriers, however, has shifted in favor of a more open wireless network that discriminates less when it comes to handsets and applications. That said, O'Loughlin lamented the lack of WiMAX devices at the show.

Late last year Skype launched a Skypephone with Hutchison Whampoa's 3G carrier 3, which led to similar launches across Hutchison's carriers worldwide. "What we have shown with 3 is that Skype can partner effectively with an operator," O'Loughlin said. There is no need to maintain the mindset that Skype is a threat to mobile carriers, he added.

O'Loughlin said he is "very optimistic" about the promises of open access that major carriers in the U.S. have pledged in recent months, but he noted that no two carriers are the same.Ã‚Â -Brian

On the Hot Seat with Skype's Christopher Libertelli

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:09:03 -0500

Shortly after the C Block of spectrum in the 700 MHz auction hit its reserve price, which triggered the open access rules for that slice of spectrum, FierceWireless editor Brian Dolan spoke with one of the key figures in the open access debate: Christopher Libertelli, Skype's senior director of government and legal affairs. Libertelli teamed up with Google's lobbyists and a number of consumer groups to effectively lobby the FCC to implement the open access rules for the C Block but he says the open access fight is not over yet.

FierceWireless: The C Block of spectrum hit its reserve price of $4.6 billion today, which means that the open access rules the FCC implemented will stick. Google, Skype and others were instrumental in getting the open access fight. Are you at all surprised by this outcome?

Libertelli: There was a question about whether the open access provisions would depress the value of the spectrum and I think this morning's activity showed that the markets had fewer reservations about the reserve than a lot of the critics who lobbied the FCC did. It was, I think, a very, very positive decision that the commission came up with last July in the face of some pretty stiff lobbying by wireless incumbents. This represents the best tradition of FCC decision-making. I'm not so surprised that the companies would eventually recognize that wireless Carterphone and open access is in the best interest of consumers and the network providers and companies like Skype that build applications for wireless networks, but maybe it was just a matter of the individual players thinking through business models and then coming up with things like the bid that we saw this morning.

FierceWireless: Currently the C Block has not garnered a bid after the one that pushed it over its $4.6 billion reserve price. Do you think that indicates that there was just one bidder-like Google-since the company promised the FCC that it would drive the spectrum block's price tag up past that reserve price?

Libertelli: Well, it's really hard to know. People are reading the tea leaves on this left and right. Blair Levin suggests that through inference and the use of waivers that there are at least two companies in there bidding for the C Block. I can't say-I don't know. Nobody knows.

FierceWireless: If Verizon Wireless or AT&T wins the C Block, do you think they will interpret and implement the open access provisions in a different way than Google would if it wins?

Libertelli: I think there is a difference of opinions over what those open access provisions mean and ultimately it's for the FCC to decide what openness means and what the open access provisions means, but I take them at their word no matter which company is the ultimate licensee. As you know, Google has begun a development effort around the Android platform that would allow companies like Skype to innovate and reach our consumers so people can have conversations for free when they are on this spectrum.

At the same time, Verizon has announced that a business unit within their company is going to embrace the concept of openness and talk to the development community, including companies like Skype, and figure out the best way to implement the open access provisions, these Carterphone rules. So, while there are probably shades of grey in terms of the kind of openness companies would embrace-Google compared to Verizon-the core terms, the basic idea that the wireless Internet should really operate more like the wired Internet, is really something that the commission has taken ownership of and it's the commission that will enforce these rules. Today's auction result is that it's up to the agency to ensure that whoever it is who wins the spectrum adheres to their open access rules.

FierceWireless: When the FCC opened up the prospect of open access provisions on the C Block for public comment, Verizon Wireless referred to them as an "experiment" that the FCC wished to undertake. When the carrier made their "Any Device, Any App" announcement, Verizon Wireless couched it by saying it would probably only appeal to a small user segment within their subscriber base. Do you think the open access provisions are of interest to a small user segment or would it benefit all wireless users?

Libertelli: It is not for Verizon or AT&T to decide what consumers want, it is for consumers to decide what they want. So, for us, it's about giving them an alternative and providing them with the tools to take Skype with them wherever they want to go. It is our obligation to try to win our consumers attention and allow them to download Skype for Windows Mobile onto their device. It doesn't seem to us to be the right public policy to let Verizon be the one who makes that choice for consumers, and that is what's so brilliant about this open access provision is that it puts control over communications back into the hands of consumers. Nobody knows how consumers will ultimately end up using these openness provisions, but what we can say is that consumers will get to decide and not the network owners.

In addition, it's a signal to the developer community to go out and develop whatever you want that uses the 700 MHz spectrum and try to capture consumers' attention. People in our ecosystem who are building applications that hook into Skype, for example, they will be able to compete for user attention, and that's the way the market is suppose to work. The market is not supposed to work with a handful of companies making decisions for consumers.

FierceWireless: Shortly after Verizon made its "Any Device, Any App" announcement, AT&T came out and said it already had the most open network, and implied that much of this open access discussion didn't apply to them. In Skype's experience, does AT&T run an open network?

Libertelli: We know two things at least: The terms of service that AT&T has on the market today prohibits a Skype user from using a device or its Internet connection to use Skype. That's not open behavior and that's not consistent with the FCC's open access provisions. We also know that the iPhone is locked to AT&T's network and users can't take the iPhone and bring it to any network they want. Those two things combined suggest that there is still more work to do to open AT&T's network.

FierceWireless: When Google first proposed these open access provisions to the FCC, they actually had four provisions: Open devices, open applications, open services and open networks. Only open devices and open applications, however, were adopted in the final rules for the C Block. I assume that if Google wins the C Block they would still adopt the other two provisions, but should an incumbent win it, they would only implement the required two. Do you think open access would be fully realized without the third and fourth provisions: open services and open networks?

Libertelli: I have always understood the open services, that third provision for open access, to be sort of a subset of [open devices and open applications], but Rick Whitt over at Google is really the person to talk to explain the nuances between those provisions. We build an application that allows people to talk for free and use Skype in a mobile environment. We are fully supportive and engaged the commission on this "no blocking, no locking" Carterphone rule early on, which would protect the device-level openness principle as well as the ability to use software applications like Skype. For us, those are the key pieces of a good open access policy at the agency. That isn't to say we didn't care about the wholesaling requirement, we did. It would provide our users with yet another alternative in the market. [Google] seemed to argue for [open access] more often than we did, but that's simply because we had one person doing the lobbying-namely myself-and they had a few more. It wasn't a question of not caring about it, but rather a need to put an emphasis on the things that we had put in our Carterphone petition in February of last year, which really had more to do with open devices and open applications.

FierceWireless: Finally, now that the open access provision looks to be implemented on the C Block, how will that affect Skype? What will Skype do to leverage it?

Libertelli: The [implementation of open access on the C Block] sends a very positive signal to Skype that this spectrum will be friendly to a Skype conversation-friendly to Skype applications that run on mobile devices. It's a very positive step forward. It's an incremental step forward. There is still more work to do. There is still a need to convince policymakers that if wireless is good in the 700 MHz context, then it is also good in the broader wireless market. We take this as a very positive step forward since it means users can now download Skype Mobile for Windows. It also signals to Skype and companies like Skype that this wireless space is moving in the right direction: moving toward more openness and not less. That's a shot in the arm for companies like mine who wake up everyday trying to build new applications to allow people to structure their communications and free up their conversations and allow people to free up their conversations and take Skype with them. The spirit of entrepreneurialism and experimentation that this open access provision represents is all very encouraging in particular to our mobile developers.

FCC: 700 MHz Auction to raise more than any other

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:59:55 -0500

After 23 rounds of bidding, the 700 MHz auction has brought in nearly $17 billion in provisionally winning bids, a total that exceeded FCC expectations. Originally, the FCC expected total winning bids to fall between $10 billion and $15 billion. The commission needed to ensure that the auction raised at least $10 billion because Congress had already allocated that much of the proceeds from the auction. The $6.9 billion (and counting) leftover is profit for the Treasury Department.

"It will probably exceed any other auction that we have had in the past," FCC chairman Kevin Martin said at a press conference yesterday.

During the 17th round yesterday morning, the C Block of spectrum met its reserve price of $4.6 billion with a bid that topped $4.7 billion. Meeting that target ensured that the open access provisions on the block will go into effect. The D Block, however, continues to languish with only one $472 million bid from the first round of bidding last week. The question remains: Now that the FCC has met and exceeded its overall reserve price for the auction, will the D Block have to meet its $1.33 billion reserve price? Or did one bidder get an incredible deal?

For more on the auction:
- read our continuously updated coverage here
- also read this interview with Skype's Chris Libertelli about the auction results

FEATURE: On the Hot Seat: Skype's Chris Libertelli

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:59:53 -0500

FierceWireless: Currently the C Block has not garnered a bid after the one that pushed it over its $4.6 billion reserve price. Do you think that indicates that there was just one bidder--like Google--since the company promised the FCC that it would drive the spectrum block's price tag up past that reserve price?

Libertelli: Well... Read More

DEALS: Handset units for sale

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:59:52 -0500

Handset units are selling like hot cakes.

DEALS
WHO	WITH	WHAT	SCOOP
Lenovo	Hony Capital	Lenovo sold its handset unit to Hony Capital for $100 million.	Handset shipments for Lenovo fell 31 percent last quarter.
Continental Airlines	LiveTV	Continental Airlines plans to add free WiFi service to some of their planes next year.	LiveTV is a unit of rival Jet Blue Airlines.
Nokia	Trolltech	Nokia announced its intent to acquire Trolltech for $153M.	Trolltech software and application platforms are used in programs including Skype, Google Earth and Adobe Photoshop Elements. Might be bad news for Symbian?
Verizon Wireless	SureWest Wireless	Verizon has acquired SureWest's wireless assets for $69 million.	SureWest Wireless served about 50,000 subscribers, while its licenses covered about 3.8 million people.
Kyocera	Sanyo	Kyocera bought Sanyo's handset business for $468 million.	The deal makes Kyocera the sixth largest handset business in the world.

Nokia to acquire Trolltech for $153M

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:59:56 -0500

Nokia announced it will make a public voluntary tender offer to acquire Norwegian open source software provider Trolltech for about $153 million. Trolltech software and application platforms are used in programs including Skype, Google Earth and Adobe Photoshop Elements--according to Nokia, the acquisition would accelerate its cross-platform software strategy for mobile devices and desktop applications, enabling development of apps optimized for the Internet, across Nokia's device portfolio and on PCs. Nokia said it plans to continue licensing Trolltech technology under both commercial and open source licenses.

"Common cross-platform layers on top of our software platforms attract innovation and enable Web 2.0 technologies in the mobile space," said Nokia's executive vice president of devices Kai Öistämö in a prepared statement. "Trolltech's deep understanding of open source software and its strong technology assets will enable both Nokia and others to innovate on our device platforms while reducing time-to-market. This acquisition will also further increase the competitiveness of S60 and Series 40." -Jason

For more on the Nokia/Trolltech deal:
- read this release

Related articles:
Nokia debuts mobile video service
Nokia: UGC to account for 25% of entertainment
Nokia to debut music download service
Broadcom teams up with Trolltech Article
Zi inks licensing deal with Trolltech Article

SPOTLIGHT: Skype ever working the mobile angle

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 06:59:52 -0500

Peer-to-peer VoIP service provider Skype is now focusing its attention on the mobile market. Article

SPOTLIGHT: Skype looks to capitalize on wireless at CES

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 06:59:52 -0500

After helping to launch the open access movement in the U.S., Skype is looking to wireless as its next playground for VoIP: "Internet access is rapidly spreading beyond just the home or office computer, and a world increasingly blanketed with wireless connections is giving Skype conversations the freedom to travel almost anywhere," said Gareth O'Loughlin, Skype's general manager of mobile and hardware devices. Article

Sound off - Industry Players Discuss Verizon's Open Access Announcement

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:44:57 -0500

Here's what members of the wireless industry are saying about Verizon Wireless' Nov. 27 announcement that it will give consumers the option to use any application and any wireless device that meets minimal technical requirements on its network.

"I think the reality of the open network is that Verizon is saying you can have it but you don't really want it. Some of you think you want it, but you are just geeks. If you are a serious customer, you will need us. And we love you and we have the best network." -Iain Gillott, founder, iGR Research

"This is another encouraging step towards the wireless industry recognizing the value of openness. We look forward to working with wireless operators, including Verizon, to maximize a Skype user's ability to choose to have their conversations wherever, whenever and however they would like." -Christopher Libertelli, senior director of government & regulatory affairs, Skype

"I believe this move was inevitable. The only uncertainties were which carrier would take the lead and when it would happen. Kudos to Verizon for recognizing the immediate benefits it accrues as well as the longer term strategic implications. Networks are going to be open; and carriers have a choice as to whether they will have control or be controlled. Open networks will spur innovation -- good news for developers. Yet, the impact on carriers, who have spent billions of dollars building their networks, will be substantial. Open access will force carriers to look to something other than their own applications and content --or find a new means by which to bring their offerings to the forefront of an already crowded deck -- to augment declining ARPU. There are still a number of unanswered questions such as: the means by which increasing consumption of data will be managed, and who will have ultimate responsibility for customer care. Stay tuned." -Stephanie Grossman, CEO of digital SIDEBAR

"The Verizon announcement of Any App and Any Device on their network is interesting for a number of reasons but we all know that it was made because of the mounting pressure being brought on network operators by Google and others who believe in full open access for wireless networks. I believe that Verizon will open their network but they are also responsible for protecting the network against attacks, rogue applications and devices--hence the statement that the device and applications must meet minimal technical requirements. With 60 million customers they cannot afford to let a single device or application bring down a portion of their network even for a few minutes. When the Internet is unavailable to us, we just accept that because there is no customer service beyond our on DSL or cable provider for Internet issues. However, Verizon and other network operators do have customer support and they cannot afford to have their lines jammed by unhappy customers because one data hog has had a negative effect on the network.

"Having said that, with open access there will be a different pricing model. We do not have unlimited wireless bandwidth. Those people who are used to drinking from the Internet using a fire hose will now have to understand that they will have access to the same type of performance as the fire hose SOME of the time. So we will see different pricing models emerge. If you use wireless broadband for email and other light data requirements you will pay less for the service then those who want to download a streaming video or two from the Internet. In other words, the limited, shared bandwidth we have available to us over wireless will be available based on the volume of data we require and the time of day we request it. A feature movie downloaded at 2 p.m. in the afternoon will cost us more than if we download it at 2 a.m. because of the difference in network traffic.

"Verizon is the first but not the last network operator to offer up a more open network but we need to understand that it will still be a managed network and that their responsibility to make bandwidth available for ALL of their customers all of the time will still be a prime concern of theirs."-Andrew Seybold, founder, Andrew Seybold Inc.

"We fully support Verizon's 'Any Apps, Any Device' option and feel this will be another important way for CDMA service providers to offer their customers a choice and set the bar for a new level of innovation and growth. Allowing consumers to download and use applications, content and servicesÃ‚Â outside any one operator's walled garden Ã‚Âis evidence of healthy evolution in the wireless world. As long as devices are certified not to interfere with network performance, this initiative will help open the playing field to other innovators and allow only the best networks, operators and services to thrive." -Perry LaForge, executive director, CDMA Development Group (CDG)

"Like a lot of people, I'm pumped about Verizon's open network announcement. This will bring more investment dollars to an industry that is already on fire, drive innovation which will lead to better products and services. Super.
I'm worried about the consumer though. Sure, innovation means more choice, but choice isn't always the best thing. Think about it. Five years ago, it was really complicated to figure out what wireless products to select. Since then, the complexity of options has compounded by orders of magnitude.
There's a study called "The Paradox of Choice," in which psychologist Barry Schwartz discovered that too much choice becomes "not only unproductive, but counterproductive-a source of pain, regret . . ." In Blink, Malcom Gladwell shared research showing that reducing the selection of jelly flavors from 24 to six varieties sent jelly sales skyrocketing.
We're seeing it in our own research of online shopping behavior for wireless. Consumers are spending increasing amounts of time evaluating and considering their options. They go to carrier sites, third party sites, blogs and then start over again before they can make a purchase decision. This will get worse, possibly even become paralyzing as Schwartz suggests unless we come up with a way to make all of these emerging variables digestible for consumers to consider." -Adam Guy, General Manager, telecommunications and media, Compete Inc

"Open Access will mean different things to different people in the mobile value chain. One thing I'm willing to bet on, though, is that Verizon Wireless' "open access" approach won't mean "inexpensive, unlimited, mobile broadband" access, which tends to be what users and application developers dream of having. It's one thing to allow any technologically capable device (i.e. CDMA EV-DO) to use the network, but it's another to let that device use it for a pittance.

"I can imagine VZW only offering "unlimited," flat rate service bundles to selected devices or providing a multi-tiered rate plan that has much higher rates for devices that aren't managed and controlled by the carrier. They can't afford to give away the service, after all, just in the name of "openness!" In their announcement they seemed to be saying users will only have to pay for what they use (which sounds like metered kilobyte pricing to me).

"Providing a more open development environment for application providers and device innovators, however, is a very good thing, even if it comes at a price. For that much, anyway, we can be optimistic this announcement will advance the mobile data industry rather than just provide another dark alley to explore." -Jim Grams, president, Black Oak Associates

"The US and global wireless and mobile industry is shifting from a traditional closed transmission-specific radio system to the future Open Wireless Architecture (OWA) service-oriented convergence platform for he complete openness and simplicity of the users' mobile handset device. We are very glad to see that Google, China Mobile, Verizon, Sprint and some major vendors including Intel, Oracle, Qualcomm, TI, NEC, Motorola and Ericsson are realizing the great value of such openness as they drive this global movement. In the long run, future wireless communications will follow two laws: open radio spectrum and open wireless architecture." - Prof. Willie Lu, chairman of World Wireless Congress, former Stanford University professor and former member of the FCC Technological Advisory Council.

FEATURE: Sound off - Industry insiders discuss Verizon's open access announcement

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:59:53 -0500

Click here to read more thoughts from industry insiders...

Google Android round-up

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:59:57 -0500

More details about Google's mobile plans rolled out yesterday afternoon. To recap, Google has buddied up with 34 different partners in the technology space (including NVIDIA, Intel, Texas Instruments, Synaptics, Marvell, Qualcomm, Motorola, Samsung, T-Mobile, Sprint, Skype, LG, HTC, KDDI, DoCoMo and China Mobile) to create the Open Handset Alliance (OHA)--a group focused on building an open, fully customizable alternative to closed operating systems like Windows Mobile 6, Symbian S60 and the iPhone OS. The OHA's first product will be Android, an open-source mobile OS and associated application suite that's built on the Linux operating system (and will be open-sourced via the Apache v2 License). The Android SDK will be made available to developers on November 12th and Android-sporting handsets will flood the market next year, from device manufacturers like HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung. These handsets will be available during the second half of 2008 in the U.S. (from T-Mobile USA and Sprint) China, Japan, Germany, Italy and Spain. As has been reported earlier, the Android OS will be targeted toward consumers and will be available to OEMs free of charge (the OS will be ad-supported, like all of Google's other apps).

For more on Google's plans:
- check out these promotional videos from the company
- read this blog post from Google
- read how Android might affect IT departments (WSJ sub. req.)

Related Articles:
June: Google outlines mobile strategy Article
Google now running Adwords on mobile Article
Google's latest moves show prep for gPhone Article

ALSO NOTED: 3 launches Skype phone; T-Mobile USA's Shadow knows; and much more...

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:59:50 -0400

> 3 launches new Skype mobile phone. Article

> T-Mobile USA unveils a smartphone for older folks called the Shadow. Article

> CTIA Live! in review: Check out the Fierce round-up of news from last week's conference in San Francisco. Site

And Finally... Stephen Colbert has inspired a generation. His run for presidency has already garnered him more than 1 million willing voters (who may not be old enough to vote) on Facebook. Article