"Open Access" on Verizon: Much Ado About Nothing?
Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:01AM EST
See Comments (10)
Thanks to Silicon Alley Insider's Dan Frommer for saying what first leapt to my mind when I read the news this morning (rubbing the Nyquil out of my eyes and popping Advil like Tic Tacs) that Verizon Wireless was opening its cellular network for "any device" (well, any device that meets Verizon's minimum specifications for what it will allow on its network). To quote Frommer, who puts it quite simply: "Good luck finding a non-Verizon phone that will work on Verizon's network."
The problem is that Verizon and Sprint are CDMA networks, incompatible with GSM, which Cingular, T-Mobile, and most other countries in the world rely on. If you're looking for a cool new unlocked phone to buy, there's virtually no chance it will be a CDMA phone. All the hip phones out of Europe and Asia (sans Japan, which has its own network) use GSM and its related technologies. People simply don't make CDMA phones unless they've already got a deal in the works with Verizon or Sprint; there's just no demand for them in the global marketplace.
Don't believe me? Search eBay, the de facto marketplace for unlocked phones, for "unlocked CDMA." As I write this there are a whopping 44 phones for sale, mostly old and semi-disposable handsets (see the hot 2004 model pictured!) and stuff you can get directly from Verizon already for about $30 with a contract. By comparison, there are 5,396 "unlocked GSM" phones available... all of which you can simply pop your Cingular or T-Mobile GSM card into and be up and running immediately. Talk of iPhones and the latest Nokias running on Verizon is really a pipe dream for the foreseeable future.
Please don't get me wrong: I'm ecstatic that Verizon is opening its network to make it easier to use other hardware with its cellular plans (and it's nice that it'll let you install software on your phone now, too), but I'm just baffled where this hardware is going to come from. Old Sprint customers? Vintage electronics collectors? Frankly, I'd be more impressed if Verizon and others ended long-term contract requirements, termination fees, and other cellular plan headaches.
Now who really wants to talk about open access?
Comments on "Open Access" on Verizon: Much Ado About Nothing?
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2 Posted by xxozimmoxx on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:53PM EDT Report Abuse
I have Verizon, prepaid. Best way too go, no contracts and the latest phone's/
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3 Posted by skippercass on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:26PM EDT Report Abuse
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4 Posted by traceur11 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:19PM EDT Report Abuse
"Frankly, I'd be more impressed if Verizon and others ended long-term contract requirements, termination fees, and other cellular plan headaches." I second this!
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5 Posted by shane_wylie on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:16PM EDT Report Abuse
You won't find unlocked CDMA phones because there is really no such thing. The phone itself is not locked. The phones electronic serial number is entered into a Verizon or Sprint (CDMA) database when it is activated on the respective network. IF the ESN is not in the database then they won't let you activate it, but that seems to be changing.
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6 Posted by mbartee32 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:12PM EDT Report Abuse
When the second coming of Jesus happens is when all cell phones will work cross platform, and no more contracts. Post #5 get hooked on phonics, it werked for me.
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7 Posted by asianguy76 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse
i dunno...some of the SK Telecom phones that you can pick up in Koreatowns are pretty darn nice. they are already activated on Verizon...just can't use the internet etc. only can make calls
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8 Posted by sirkenneth on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:24PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't think too many people understand why the carriers have long term contracts. If they did not, you would be paying top dollar for your equipment; not a subsidized buy-down that we are all used to. What would help is if there were an option buy the phone full price with no contract term or cancel fee. Verizon opening their network is a thin veil to try and compete with all the choices already available to GSM customers.
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9 Posted by rnewman458 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:44PM EDT Report Abuse
For now it won't matter, but phone makers will soon get Verizon customers into their market research to design a phone that they truly want. Should be a while in the making though. We'll see.
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10 Posted by reed5124@att.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:35PM EDT Report Abuse
i hav a razor verison phone and i love it it light it convient to carry in my pocket. For a construction worker its great . i dont care for the contracts id rather have impulse because these phones are so easily stolen and yes you can change who owns them no questions asked . just call their number and they turn it on for u this is true with any phone u buy.........
1 Posted by rogueist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse
I would like to see them have true open access for the broadband wireless cards and not require a contract when getting new service. Plenty of compatible CDMA phones that can be purchased from ASIA by the way that will work on Verizon's network - you just have to get them to register the phone on their network. I suppose that also means you can register a Sprint phone on Verizon's network too.