Verizon Wireless | Open Development

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Open Development?

Verizon Wireless’ Open Development Initiative (ODI) is the company’s new program designed to encourage the development community to create new products, applications and services beyond what Verizon Wireless currently offers in its portfolio and bring these to the marketplace on the Verizon Wireless network.

2. Is it true that any device will be allowed to connect to the Verizon Wireless network?

Device manufacturers must have their device approved as compliant to the Open Development device requirements, which were presented at the Open Developer’s Conference on March 19th. Once it passes the compliance testing, the device can be connected to our network.

3. How will devices be approved for connection to the Verizon Wireless network?

Approving device compliance should be straight forward as the testing will be intentionally minimalistic. The process for Open Development Device approval has been published and entails the following steps: • Pre-submission Process – Device manufacturer contacts Verizon Wireless and appropriate device and testing requirements are exchanged. • Conformance Testing Process – The Device Manufacturer, working with Verizon Wireless and external test lab, performs the required test procedure. • Device Introduction Process – After the device has been tested and approved, business agreements are developed to allow the devices to be activated on the Verizon Wireless network. • Device Maintenance and Regression Process – This comes into play only if a device manufacturer chooses to implement corrections or modifications to an approved Open Development Device.

4. Who will be responsible for the approval testing?

Verizon Wireless will certify a number of external test labs to conduct Open Development Device approval testing. The Device Manufacturer is responsible for working with the external test lab to complete the approval testing.

5. Why does a device have to pass Verizon Wireless’ testing and comply with Verizon Wireless’ technical requirements?

The testing is the only way to determine that the device, once activated, won't harm or otherwise interfere with the Verizon Wireless network. The test process will be intentionally minimalistic for this purpose, so testing won't determine if the device actually works or works without error. Additionally, the testing will not make any determination as to call quality or other functionality of such device.

6. What will be the typical amount of time to approve a device?

We expect the typical lab time to be weeks rather than months.

7. Will there be a charge to certify a device?

Yes. Details are being currently worked out. Costs are determined by the external testing lab and are paid by the Open Development Device manufacturer or agent that is seeking to obtain Open Development approval for the device.

8. When will Verizon Wireless launch this new "Network-Only" option for consumers?

External test labs certified by Verizon Wireless will be fully equipped to start testing products, based on the technical interface specifications and processes released at the Open Development Device Conference on March 19th 2008, by the end of 2Q 2008.

9. Will Verizon Wireless handle problems with Open Development devices?

Verizon Wireless will not be responsible for device support issues. The Device Manufacturer will own this responsibility.

10. How does Open Development impact applications that ride on the device?

Verizon Wireless will not approve, test or service third party applications that customers load onto their Open Development Devices.

11. How will a consumer know that a device meets Verizon Wireless’ technical requirements?

Developers/manufacturers of these devices can inform consumers that their device is approved for connectivity on the Verizon Wireless network. Logos and other marketing materials will be created for Open Development Device marketing purposes.

12. Can I market/sell a device that has already been approved for Verizon Wireless retail and bypass device testing and approval?

No. To obtain Open Development approval a device must pass the Open Development Device testing. It is important to remember that Verizon Wireless will continue to focus on and pursue its successful retail model supporting a full-service wireless offering and customer experience. The Open Development business will complement, not replace, our full-service offerings.

13. What type of device requirement “waivers” can I get on a device submittal?

Waivers will be issued rarely and should not be considered part of the submittal process. The Open Development Device requirements are intentionally minimalistic. All devices are expected to meet the test requirements to be approved for attachment to the network.

14. How can I get priority on the Open Development Device certification testing queue?

Ultimately, the external labs will control the priorities; however, it is contemplated that the device testing activities would be performed on a FIFO basis.