Android fever, catch it: Verizon joining Open Handset Alliance?

In a recent chat with clients, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster did a little name dropping regarding Google's Open Handset Alliance, casually mentioning in passing that Verizon "is a member." Hold up there, chief; last time we checked, that isn't the case. Among US national carriers, only T-Mobile and Sprint have publicly thrown their hats into the Android ring, so we're not sure whether Mr. Munster knows something we don't (which is entirely possible) or whether he's just a little confused. For what it's worth, we can understand why he'd be confused in light of Verizon's recent commitment to open its airwaves to all comers -- the initiative appears to share much of the same spirit as the OHA's charter, after all -- but by the same token, Google's intention to snap up 700MHz bandwidth would seemingly pit the two juggernauts against one another. We'll have to wait and see whether Big Red's name magically appears on the Alliance's member list, but if it does, the pressure's gonna get pretty high on AT&T to cave, eh?

[zebcarlson2007 @ Nov 30th 2007 12:55PM]

You Will Be Assimilated: Resistance is Futile!

[Todd @ Nov 30th 2007 12:55PM]

The idea of Sprint, T-Mo and Verizon all adopting Android as their OS, then ganging up on the Death Star makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

I keep reading comments that Google cannot be a telco, even with Android and winning the spectrum because it will take too long to put up all the towers.

...but if Google offers Sprint, T-Mo and Verizon a sweet cut of location based advertising revenue in exchange for using their existing towers, the Death Star could be in trouble.

[Electromodo @ Nov 30th 2007 1:29PM]

Could it be so that Sprint, T-Mo and Verizon all joining Android coalition to effectively bury Google's idea?

If AT&T joins Android, I will start believing in this conspiracy...

[Andir3.0 @ Nov 30th 2007 2:13PM]

I don't think it would be to bury the idea... but VZ joining it would explain why Verizon has been on/off the whole idea of the 700MHz auction...

I can only hope VZ jumps into the alliance. I just switched from Sprint because of the crappy phone selection and I'd be overjoyed to be able to get an Android phone.

[Todd @ Nov 30th 2007 2:16PM]

AT&T cannot use android. They must, by their own business rules, never EVER allow the consumer to make a choice. I, as a Death Star customer, must use the mobile services available ONLY from AT&T. Android would allow me to install any app, and that app does not have to make any money for AT&T ( See the whole iPhone disaster for examples ).

Skype installed on an Android OS phone that transmits data via Google's 700 mhz doesn't make AT&T any money at all.

...The day AT&T starts using Android is the day they go out of business.

[ksat @ Nov 30th 2007 12:56PM]

Do we really *know* what Google's intentions are with the new bandwidth? Isn't it still speculation that Google will be providing telecommunication services (cellphone services)?? Isn't it still feasible that Google has wireless intentions instead of cellular intentions with this allotment of spectrum?

In a previous article, Eric Schmidt was quoted as saying "Consumers deserve more competition and innovation than they have in today's wireless world." This, to me, sounds more like free and open wireless broadband to homes across America than another cell provider.

[Nick @ Nov 30th 2007 1:06PM]

even if they were to do that... it would become free open cellphone service for VoIP phones. Im not a VoIP phone person so i dont know much about if there are many mobile phones that are doin VoIP. But I'm sure someone would release some app to run on adroid phones to do it.

[Nick @ Nov 30th 2007 1:02PM]

So they are for using open source mobile OS, but not allowing people to use that open block of bandwith.

[Joshua Walters @ Nov 30th 2007 1:17PM]

Meh, I think hes confused. Verizon Wireless is the kind of company that LOVES publicity. They would announce it themselfs if they were in.

[ShortFuse @ Nov 30th 2007 1:36PM]

The dude's a banker/analyst, not an informant. I doubt he has inside information and it seems to be his mix-up naming Verizon. I think Verizon's new deal with Nokia and SonyEricsson (who are NOT OHA members) to open up devices is in RESPONSE to Google's OHA. They're doubt they're joining, and Verizon has a history of doing things their way instead.

[Brian @ Nov 30th 2007 1:51PM]

Am I the only one who laughed at the analyst's name being "Gene Munster?" Maybe I just need this week to be over...

[ksat @ Nov 30th 2007 2:02PM]

The other part of the quote was more in line with my thoughts:

"the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet."

Key here - "how they access the Internet."

[Mo @ Nov 30th 2007 2:07PM]

Verzion should be the last one allowed. they put soo many restriction on there phone. no bluetooth obx transfer, must use their own ringtones.. etc.

[Nick @ Nov 30th 2007 3:11PM]

Just a theory.

Google buys 700mhz spectrum

Google connects your Grand Central account to your Google talk account allowing you to make and receive calls directly from your wireless handset!

The world starts using Google's free Wifi and Grand central for cell phones? Google's stock rises to 10,000.00 per share. Now if only I have a spare $700.00 to buy one share now!

[Peppie @ Nov 30th 2007 3:26PM]

I was actually in a Verizon store yesterday talking to a guy about maybe upgrading my phone to the voyager (all sold out) when we talked about the googlephone. I was like "too bad it's not coming for verizon" and he said, "actually it is, but we'll just have to wait a little bit". I think everybody wins in this case.
P.S. I found out the REAL reason Verizon didn't take the iPhone.

[KM @ Nov 30th 2007 5:22PM]

Spill it man, spill it!!!

[Peppie @ Nov 30th 2007 9:20PM]

Basically, the reason is that Apple wanted to have sole custody (lol) of the customer support. Verizon is actually a very customer support oriented service (lol again) and that didn't float well with Verizon. Also, the way that Apple's deal was is that basically, Apple would just use the Verizon network and Verizon would not make alot of money on it. As it is, contrary to popular believe, AT&T makes very little money off of the iPhone.
The guy explained that it was kind of like letting the cool guy with the PS3 room with you, but he doesn't really pay you that much in rent. Eventually, his friends realized that they could also use the PS3 outside of your apartment.

[karlthebaer @ Nov 30th 2007 6:47PM]

I heard that Verizon was opening there network on NPR on Wednesday and called Verizon to ask. The tech I talked to said that he didn't know much (do they ever?) but that beginning next year (1st quarter '08) they would begin to open up. Specifically I asked him about Google and he said he didn't know anything but that if you wanted to flash your phone with an alternate operating system there was a good chance it would work with Verizon before the end of '08. Now, that being said I will reiterate that he was some low level tech who was just guessing about everything except that they would begin to open January 08 -- that came from an internal memo. We will see...