Verizon Google Work Effort is a Business as Usual Decision

The wireless network operators have a generic requirements document for the handset manufactures to meet.  This is a mature work effort of almost 12 years.  Like Set-top-boxes, this is growing into a larger opportunity for both the network operator and the manufactures that shown through with the introduction of iPhone by Apple 5 years ago.

Wireless network operators have generic requirements for handset manufactures.  In addition, subsets of the network operators requirements are enhancements for technology and data versions (IS-49, IS-54, CDMA/GSM, 3-G, 4-G, Wi-Fi, LTE etc...), features sets (* # abbreviated dialing) .   

In addition, handset manufactures have ideas which network operators want to adopt or do-not want to adopt (Wi-Fi to public WAPs or FM reception at the handset, it is these two features that when missing, I do not buy the handset.  The result is I loose out on so many other features).  Many of the ideas have consumer benefits. 

For now, the network operators are happy to have their family of documents that are not industry standards.  Apple/AT&T created a reason to be more proprietary with the feature sets.  

This press release is no different than Nokia, Motorola, HTC or LG making an announcement except for the speculation of the strong skills Google/Andriod has with user data collection.  Privacy aside, the general and non-identifying use of data browsing by the consumer will be very useful in converting Verizon ad sales opportunities.