Wireless industry makes itself more open in one day

In one day, the wireless industry just made itself significantly more open. No doubt this is in response to the Federal Communication Commission's interest in making net neutrality rules apply to wireless networks and to the commission's queries into exclusive handset deals.

Verizon Wireless announced a deal with Google that will see the search giant's Android platform run on Verizon's network but also bring controversial applications such as Google Voice to Verizon subscribers.

The two companies have clashed for several years over net neutrality principles and over the prospect of VoIP services running over the network, which threaten to erode Verizon's voice business.

Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam said during a conference call that the operator will launch two Android devices this year on its 3G network, which will be the beginning of a multi-year road map for such devices and applications. Google and Verizon also plan to collaborate on a number of Android devices that will come preloaded with applications from both companies as well as third-party developers.

Verizon has been touting an open network for some time, allowing third-party devices to run on the network. Such strings are also attached to the spectrum it won in the 700 MHz band, where it will deploy Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology next year. Still, industry watchers have questioned the company's commitment given the fact that the operator launched its own app store.

Meanwhile, AT&T Mobility has decided to change its stance on banning VoIP over 3G applications on Apple's iPhone. The carrier said that it had informed both Apple and the FCC of its decision. The change in policy means that users of VoIP applications on the iPhone, such as Skype, will no longer be relegated to using the device's Wi-Fi connection for VoIP calling. It is also a significant turnaround for AT&T, which said earlier this year that allowing VoIP apps on the iPhone to run over its 3G network could cripple the network. Indeed, AT&T has openly discussed the strain iPhone usage, in general, has placed on its network. VoIP already runs on other AT&T devices.

Indeed, these appear to be moves that show the commission that operators already embrace net neutrality.

I'm at the CTIA IT & Entertainment show this week in San Diego. For the last several years, the show has been heavily focused on the entertainment side. But things seem to be different this year. With a renewed push on behalf of carriers in vertical markets such as mobile healthcare and M2M communications and the "consumerization" of the enterprise, IT wireless is indeed sexy again.

Look for all the latest coverage and photos from CTIA IT at Fierce's CTIALive website and in FierceMobileIT, FierceWireless, FierceMobileContent and FierceDeveloper. - Lynnette