PolicyBlog

Verizon Wireless is purchasing Advanced Wireless Spectrum (AWS) licenses from SpectrumCo and Cox to ensure that our customers get the fast, reliable service they expect from their 4G devices.  This purchase is clearly in the public interest. It puts unused spectrum into the hands of 109 million consumers who will use it for high-quality wireless broadband service on Verizon’s 4G LTE-enabled smartphones, tablets, and other devices.   But why does Verizon need more spectrum?  The answer –... Read More

A member of my staff – Sanjay Udani – attended a White House event celebrating science fair projects created by kids from around the country.    He pointed out that one of the projects at the event was a mobile app developed by three young students that works in conjunction with a Bluetooth-enabled heart rate monitor to notify family and/or medical professionals in the event of a medical emergency. Version 1 of the product is already available on the web for purchase. Can you imagine a science... Read More

This weekend on the Op-ed pages of The New York Times, Verizon’s CEO Lowell McAdam outlined the tremendous benefit of, and pressing need for, making more wireless spectrum available.  See the link or read below.  ===================================================================Running Out of BandwidthBy LOWELL C. McADAMPublished: October 21, 2011 AT a time of slow economic growth and declining competitiveness, wireless technology remains a shining example of innovation. In the last 10 years,... Read More

With so many people traveling overseas these day, for both business and pleasure, my Verizon colleague here in DC Ian Dillner points out these useful resources. As we approach the peak of summer vacation season and Americans pack their bags for exciting trips around the globe, we applaud the FCC for informing consumers about wireless use when travelling abroad.  The FCC has developed a useful website and outreach materials for travelers that compiles basic resources and suggestions for ways... Read More

The wireless marketplace has changed a lot with the surge of wireless subscriptions. Consumers not only choose based on wireless network, but also consider who makes their favorite device, has the best social networking applications, video capabilities, and so much more. Players fiercely compete and sometimes collaborate, but all to satisfy today's consumer.    The following animation tells that story, a story all of us have lived through these last 15... Read More

Sometimes I sympathize with Louis C.K. when I hear tech policy doomsayers complain about the wireless marketplace and the choice therein. I don’t necessarily agree with the talented comic/entertainer about everything, or when he said a few years back, “Everything is amazing and nobody is happy.”  Some people are happy.  They are happy, and happier -- not for the advances made as companies in the wireless ecosystem fiercely compete, but because of them. Let me explain. Sure, there have been... Read More

Pop quiz. Name a product or service that is half the price it was ten years ago (accounting for inflation) but offers an experience exponentially better? If you said wireless phones, you are correct.  In their report on wireless competition, the GAO last week said consumers are generally “getting more wireless services for lower costs” than they did in 1999.  Some good reaction but not much news because, well, did you need a hundred page government report to tell us what we know... Read More

Verizon Wireless filed comments late Friday (7/30/10) in the FCC's proceeding seeking information on the state of competition in the wireless industry.   Needless to say, the picture is one of healthy competition.  The complex, interconnected mobile marketplace is more competitive and delivers more benefits for consumers than ever before.  New businesses are bringing even more vigorous competition to all levels of the wireless industry.  And they are bringing more choices to consumers - as well... Read More

It can sound trite to say – as we often do in the information technology industry – that no one can predict accurately how technology will evolve.  But more importantly if you look at the trends in information technology sector, you will not only find that time and time again the technology takes turns no one – including industry experts – predicted.  You will also find that the turns are almost always for the benefit of consumers.   It can be comical to review predictions made in the IT sector... Read More