It's great to see how companies are embracing new technology. Many are finding innovative ways to stay on top of the various technological changes. And one popular method is to establish an open development platform.

 

Open networks, for example, give network operators a way to help customers access content from multiple devices across any network. For developers, it lets them be more productive and lessens the learning curve when migrating to new technology.

 

Verizon Wireless is one good example of how a company boosts its business with an open development initiative. It first kicked off the effort within 2008 with Intertek, a company that specializes in wireless, telecommunications and mobile application testing.

 

The Open Development program lets customers use any device and application on Verizon Wireless' national voice and data network after they have met relevant specifications and certification. Under the partnership, Intertek conducts open test for device manufacturers to run on the Verizon Wireless network. So far, it seems to be working.

 

What does this mean for network operators? Simply, networks operators need to embrace change and shift their strategies and business models to meet the needs of the increasingly demanding consumer and enterprise market. According to Alcatel-Lucent, one key strategy is to better support the delivery of third-party applications. With open development,  companies can work with third-parties to find the right mix and help network operators increase their time-to market and stay innovative.

 

Initiatives this like "help bring new applications to consumer and enterprise customers faster," Alcatel-Lucent said in a whitepaper. "New business models being explored demonstrate how both collaborative and competitive relationships with developers and application and content providers can potentially co-exist in a very competitive environment."

 

As network operators find new ways to monetize value, using approaches such as open development will help them position themselves "for a future world where applications will play a much greater role in communications," Alcatel-Lucent said.