Verizon is developing an application for live television streaming onto mobile Internet laptops and tablet computers like the iPad. This app should be released to Verizon FiOS customers in 2011. This is an exciting new venture into the mobile multimedia world for the communications company.
Shaygen Kheradpir, Chief Information Officer at Verizon, made development sound simple when he said, “Technologically, there’s no difference between this and the set-top box.” There really is a lot more behind it than it may seem. Verizon is in negotiations with content providers to get their shows into this service. The television streaming service will most likely work only inside the home first, then expand to mobile use. No cost or timing has been decided for this future mobile broadband use of the service.
Verizon is currently not in the good graces of some in the technology community. The company and Google recently proposed a plan supporting net neutrality for broadband delivery but no mention was made of wireless networks. Some claim this could lead to a wireless Internet “fast lane” for companies who are willing to pay to participate. This would leave startups and entrepreneurs on a slow path to nowhere.
Several members of Congress feel that government action in response to the plan is required. They believe that FCC regulation, not "expansion upon a proposal by two large communication companies with a vested financial interest in the outcome." is what is needed. This group also feels that the FCC must speed up the timeline of its National Broadband Plan, delivering high-speed Internet access to additional areas of the country.
The iPad is popular and through this new television streaming app, Verizon will surely reap those benefits. Verizon Wireless may also benefit from a cozier relationship with Apple. There have long been rumors of a Verizon iPhone and a report from TechCrunch recently claimed that Apple is currently identifying manufacturers for this mobile device. The report predicts a January 2011 launch date and expects the phone to be similar to the iPhone 4. If this is true, who is to say that an iPad will not be released for Verizon Wireless in the near future?
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