At a time of numerous developments in the mobile phone world, carrier Verizon Wireless has announced it is now to support Google's Android initiative.Prior to this turnaround, the company had been one of the major carriers withholding support for the initiative, which is intended to function as an open and free mobile platform.
Last week, Verizon had announced it is to allow a broader range of devices and services on its network and chief executive officer of the firm Lowell McAdam told BusinessWeek that it now makes sense to support Android.
He stated: "We're planning on using Android. [It] is an enabler of what we do."
According to the publication, the surprise embrace of the platform is the culmination of a yearlong process of evolution in the company's strategy.
Mr McAdam revealed that he was receptive to the idea of more openness in the wireless industry thanks to time spent in Europe and Asia during the 1990s.
He stated that he was impressed that mobile carriers in these regions backed technologies that enabled consumers to easily switch to rivals.
Whereas Verizon has relied on tight restrictions concerning the devices and applications allowed to run on its network, the firm's leadership now believes that increasing openness will enable it to continue growing while also keeping costs down.
Other major firms to have joined Google's Android platform include T-Mobile and Motorola.
