Summary
1. Before starting FiOS, PON products were clearly ready to be shipped. 2. With LTE, there will be a certain amount of anxiety over the availability of solutions. 3. So while the stress on the word, “open,” may be over the top, Verizon Wireless’ initiative for product development has a high-stakes meaning to the carrier.
Analysis
Ordinarily, this type of effort would be more for show and for marketing purposes. In this case, Verizon Wireless wants to use as many means as possible to reach out to the hardware and software providers. In doing so, it will be able to better drive the standard forward in a way that is in its best long-term interests. It will also encourage more potential options to be available. And it will help keep its existing vendors disciplined in coming through on their commitments.
Verizon Wireless needs to be as proactive as possible in ensuring that it knows about all of the development efforts going on throughout the world. Despite the proclivity for everybody and his brother to respond to RFPs, the service provider desires a much greater comfort level than usual. It also wants to know where it needs to get involved in the R&D process in order to meet its aggressive 4G timetable. In short, Verizon Wireless has to make sure there are as few “limit[s] [as possible] to what developers can do with their head-start.”
