In a move that left consumers and wireless industry analysts gasping with surprise, Verizon Wireless let the world know Monday night that it has changed its mind about Google’s mobile Android platform. That’s right, the carrier that never stops working for you has admitted maybe it was wrong about Android and open standards, and would now like to be part of the future, thank you very much.
Sensing a bit of snarkiness in the paragraph above? Yep, that’s right. It seems to me that, given Verizon Wireless’ announcement last week that it plans to open its network to outside developers and manufacturers next year, the announcement about Android is hardly that surprising.
The story about Android was apparently broken by BusinessWeek, in a report quoting Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam as explaining that the Android announcement culminates a year’s worth of evolution in the company’s strategy. The company’s new outlook on life was borne out of many meetings with FCC officials and executives at co-parent Verizon Communication (Vodafone also owns a stake).
Why the change of heart? Apparently Verizon Wireless, despite being so successful, sees the writing on the wall: the future of mobile and wireless lies with open standards and open networks, not proprietary practices. Things might be rosy now for the company, but it seems to think that might change if it doesn’t get on board with the trends of the future.
Smart move, in my opinion. By deciding to open its network, and by embracing Android, Verizon Wireless may well be known as the carrier that helped lead the way to a more open wireless market in the U.S.
What do you think—is Verizon Wireless being smart or just bowing to industry pressures?
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