Verizon’s Open Network Won’t Support iPhone

November 29th, 2007

In a move that may have serious implications for the U.S. wireless industry, Verizon Wireless announced plans to provide customers the option to use any wireless device, software, or application on its nationwide wireless network — even if the company doesn’t sell it.However, analysts are warning consumers not to get caught up in the hype. The details are few and the promise is big. Still, it does appear that the U.S. wireless industry is taking steps to replicate European business models, where mobile users can sign up for just about any wireless carrier with just about any unlocked phone. The bottom line for many: Verizon still won’t support the iPhone, at least not any time soon.

“The iPhone uses a technology totally incompatible with Verizon, so you are not going to be able to take your iPhone to Verizon — no matter what,” said Michael Gartenberg, a wireless analyst at Jupiter Research. “It’s too soon to tell what types of devices Verizon is going to support and who is going to make open devices for its network. It is a tantalizing announcement, but we’ll have to wait for all the details.”

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