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Verizon Wireless is determined to establish itself as the US operator in the forefront of the latest trends in advanced wireless services, such as LTE/mobile broadband, open access and convergence. Last week it talked up a range of initiatives, including specifications for devices for its 700MHz LTE network, and the creation of a fixed/mobile applications store geared around its new Hub product. CEO Ivan Seidenberg also gave the latest denial of persistent rumors that Verizon plans to buy Vodafone out of Verizon Wireless, saying the UK-based giant was unwilling to sell its 45% share.

The cellco has published specifications for future LTE devices on its open development web site and will provide further details on May 13. These include hardware, software and performance certification requirements for developers of cards, MIDs and phones, though actual products are not likely to appear in bulk until well into 2010. Verizon will go live in at least one market this year, but this deployment will be geared to fixed rural access.

Verizon said on its web site that it will launch its initial network in its 700MHz spectrum (where open access is mandated), in 10MHz channels, and using MIMO from the start, to help with the effectiveness of rural coverage, and make the most of its generally rather limited bandwidth. It has no plan to support TDD operations in the near future.

"Hardware is the starting point, and Verizon Wireless is encouraging developers to get excited about designing innovative products and services the future requires," said Tony Lewis, VP of open development. "We want to publish details to the development community as soon as possible to get us started on that journey." However, handset chips will not appear for at least a year, which may mitigate against Verizon's apparent ambition of completing its LTE roll-out, in multiple bands, by 2014.

Meanwhile, in another key area of business growth, fixed/mobile convergence, Verizon Communications is to add an app store to its Hub converged phone service, which supports unlimited VoIP calling for $35 a month. As well as tying wireless and fixed services closer together, this could be a step towards a unified web and software experience across all its devices from set-top boxes to handsets.

On the Vodafone relationship, Seidenberg said: "I would like to own the whole thing, but we don't have to." He also dismissed the idea of Verizon buying Vodafone outright, citing corporate culture clash, and hinted that - regardless of the outcome of AT&T talks to prolong its iPhone exclusive - Verizon Wireless would not aim for a CDMA version of the phone, but would work with Apple on an LTE device.

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