Verizon Wireless Says Specs Coming For Open Access Network; Sprint's Are Coming, Too.

The first version of Verizon Wireless's (NYSE: VZ) "Any Device, Any App" developer kit will be released March 19 at its Open Development Device Conference in New York City, the company said today. The announcement coincides with talk in the last week about how Sprint (NYSE: S) Nextel will release a SDK for its WiMax network. Since the start, Sprint said that the high-speed wireless network will embrace an Internet business model, rather than traditional closed telecom model. Sprint is expected to release open APIs and a software development kit later this year for hardware and software makers, according to the TechRepublic.

It will be interesting to compare the two companies approaches and see which one is more open than the other. It is unknown at this time the extent of either of the company's plans. Verizon said its conference will show consumer electronics companies how to sell wireless devices for Verizon's network, and will help bring hardware and software makers together. The company said consumers will have the option of buying devices and network service independently by later this year. For those not attending Verizon's conference, the event will be webcast at www.verizonwireless.com/opendevelopment.