The Verizon “any app on any device” announcement for dummies

Let me start by confirming your iPhone isn’t going to Verizon’s network. Verizon’s announcement about “any app on any device” is something rarely seen by from carriers: smart. Verizon announced it’s network would be open by the end of 2008 to applications and devices that it had nothing to do with selling. We’ve put together what this means today and in the future.

• “Look at me FCC!” Verizon scores some points with the FCC for upcoming 700mhz auction which will require open access on the resulting network. Having friends in Washington always helps.
• Attn: Sprint customers: come on over, the water is fine. Sprint customers are fleeing the network (1 million lost over the past year), and by offering this olive branch of using your own gear, Verizon stands a good chance to be their next home. Not to mention all those sexy European phones you might be able to bring on over.
• Take that Google. On the heels of the Google announcement of open source Android, this says we are going to compete with you, silly Google. The nations #1 and #2 carriers (AT&T and Verizon respectively) are not currently on board with Android (Sprint and T-Mobile are) and Verizon is making it clear they see value in having their own closed system and limiting what gets in.
• One more thing My gut feeling says there is something else coming. Whether in the form of a MID (mobile internet device) or ebook combo, Verizon is making me think they announced this now to pave the way for January announcements Time will tell.

The bottom line is this is good for us consumers. It will likely force other carriers to dabble in doing the same, although with the usual “I’ll do it my own damn way” with unpredictable results. This is the start of the dam breaking.