No iPhone, but ‘Star Trek’ Future From Verizon
LAS VEGAS — Those expecting Ivan Seidenberg, the chairman and chief executive of Verizon Communications, to pull out a gleaming iPhone from his pocket during the opening keynote of the Consumer Electronics Show can stop holding their breath.
Mr. Seidenberg did not introduce a new version on Apple’s flagship smartphone compatible with the company’s wireless network. And although Sanjay Jha, the chief executive of Motorola Mobility, sat on stage with Verizon for a portion of the speech, no new Verizon devices were introduced other than what was shown during Motorola’s press event the previous night.
Rather, he sketched out details of the rapidly expanding smartphone industry and skyrocketing data demands of consumers, subtly nodding towards the company’s position against its rivals.
“The network experience not only changes what we can do but what you can do,” he said.
Analysts say that in the coming months, as popular smartphones like the iPhone begin to migrate to other carriers, wireless carriers will have to rely on pushing their network as a key way to lure new subscribers and retain the ones they have.
Verizon’s early roll-out of its fourth-generation wireless network, said Chetan Sharma, an independent wireless analyst, “gives them a lot of bragging rights.”
“They will continue to hammer that in 2011,” he added.
Lowell McAdams, the chief operating officer of Verizon Wireless, also drummed home the networks advantages, noting “all 4G is not created equal.”
Verizon’s 4G network “is a game-changer because it speeds up the innovation cycle meaning consumers will benefit much sooner than anyone expects,” he added.
Jeff Bewkes, chief executive of Time Warner, also appeared on stage to talk about collaborating with Verizon, describing the emergence of streaming television on mobile devices “a second golden era of television.” Mr. Bewkes appearance helped underscore the notion that C.E.S. is increasingly becoming a media summit for entertainment companies as well as electronics companies.
“It is an explosion of vitality that is moving from the TV screen to every other screen that you have,” he said.
Mr. Seidenberg talked about the future of capabilities coming from Verizon Wireless, saying the network’s move to a faster network would enable advancements in health care technology, smarter homes and networked cities.
“The sheer scale of connection of this new world will be truly mind-boggling,” Mr. Seidenberg said.
Before closing out the session, he advised attendees that when thinking about the future of Verizon Wireless to “think Star Trek.”