BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- About one year ago, Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, announced it would offer new options for using wireless devices, software and applications not provided directly by the company.

Today, just 10 months after its first open development device conference, Verizon Wireless has made tremendous progress, offering devices that fulfill key roles in machine-to-machine (M2M) communications and certifying two independent device testing labs for Verizon Wireless' open development program.

Anthony A. Lewis, vice president of open development at Verizon Wireless, said, "About one year ago, we began sharing a vision to create new wireless opportunities for businesses and consumers, which would require reinvigorating innovation in the wireless marketplace. Today, we are making progress toward that goal, and looking toward a future where additional devices, as well as applications and software, will be available to customers from a growing portfolio of open development options."

Key 2008 highlights for Verizon Wireless' open development program include:

    --  November 27, 2007 -- Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless CEO, announces the
        company's open development initiative, with the goal to provide
        customers the option to use wireless devices, software and applications
        on its nationwide wireless network that are not offered directly by the
        company by the end of 2008.



    --  January 1, 2008 -- Anthony A. Lewis begins as vice president of Verizon
        Wireless' open development program.



    --  January 22, 2008 -- Verizon Wireless announces its March 2008 Open
        Development Device Conference, focusing largely on devices to run on the
        Verizon Wireless network.



    --  March 19, 2008 -- Verizon Wireless hosts its Open Development Device
        Conference in New York, with more than 600 companies participating. 
        Verizon Wireless also issues Version 1.0 of the technical specifications
        for new wireless devices to operate on the network.



    --  May 14, 2008 -- Verizon Wireless joins the LiMo Foundation as a board of
        directors member, helping unify the mobile industry around openness and
        Linux as the key enablers to lowering development costs.



    --  June 20, 2008 -- Verizon Wireless hosts an open development device
        webcast for developers that includes program and Web updates to simplify
        device certification.



    --  July 1, 2008 -- The Prophet wireless inventory telemetry device from
        Telular (formerly SupplyNet) is certified for use on the Verizon
        Wireless network -- the first device to complete certification through
        the open development program.



    --  August 8, 2008 -- Behavioral Intervention's offender tracking
        wireless anklet is certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network.



    --  September 23, 2008 -- BlueTree's CDMA (EV-DO Rev. A) 6000 series
        products are certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network.



    --  October 21, 2008 -- Intertek is designated as the first independent
        device testing lab for Verizon Wireless' open development program.



    --  November 6, 2008 -- The Digi Transport family of enterprise-class,
        multi-function cellular routers, including the Digi Transport WR, Digi
        Transport DR and Digi Transport SR models, are certified for use on the
        Verizon Wireless network.



    --  November 11, 2008 -- PCTEST Engineering Laboratory is designated as the
        second independent device testing lab for Verizon Wireless' open
        development program.



    --  December 16, 2008 -- Ambient's seven models of the X-3000
        communications node for utility meters are certified for use on the
        Verizon Wireless network.



    --  December 18, 2008 -- CalAmp's 882-EVDO 3G cellular broadband router
        is certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network and is commercially
        available.

Verizon Wireless' open development program is driven by the company's desire to encourage innovation, give customers new wireless choices, and quickly address opportunities to expand the wireless market. Verizon Wireless will also continue to provide full-service offerings for business and consumer customers.

For more information on Verizon Wireless' open development program, visit www.verizonwireless.com/opendevelopment.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 70.8 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 71,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless