Verizon Developer Community Is Open For Business

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and SAN JOSE, CA — More than 500 mobile applications developers and others involved in the mobile apps marketplace gathered today in Silicon Valley for the first-ever Verizon Developer Community (VDC) Conference, where the company announced the launch of its developer portal (http://developer.verizon.com/) and the upcoming launch of the V CAST Apps storefront.

Developers from companies large and small, Verizon executives and other industry leaders shared insights about building the mobile applications ecosystem and expanding the wireless applications marketplace. Discussions focused on using open network services and APIs (application programming interfaces) creatively, bringing applications to market quickly and sharing revenue. Verizon also said its new storefront, V CAST Apps, where developers can take advantage of the company’s scale and distribution, will debut before the end of this year.

Lowell McAdam, president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless, opened the conference by underscoring compelling reasons developers have to work with the company. McAdam said, “Verizon Wireless has a strong tradition of leadership in apps and content. But, it’s a new day and our future success is no longer going to be ours alone. Your ability to innovate and create and distribute will be the measures of how well we do, together.”

He added, “Today continues the journey that will be completed only when we join the best, most reliable network in America with the most innovative developers around the world to provide more applications than anyone else for customers.”

John Stratton, Verizon’s chief marketing officer, said the company values and relies on input from the developer community, and plans to make the process for registering and distributing applications with Verizon “simple, fast and straightforward.” Stratton noted streamlined processes designed to address developer demands for speed and transparency. He said V CAST Apps will:

• Offer a simple click-through agreement
• Provide a streamlined testing and certification process with a goal of having applications launched within 14 days of submission
• Give developers the opportunity to set their own prices for applications
• Make it easier to develop for BREW

Roger Gurnani, Verizon Wireless senior vice president for product development, said the company will encourage new apps development with a contest – Apply Your Ideas – starting next month. Developers can submit apps in a wide variety of categories, and winners will be featured in V CAST Apps after it launches. More information on the contest, including contest rules and timing, is available at http://developer.verizon.com/.

Gurnani also announced Verizon Wireless’ plan to open a Silicon Valley-based Innovation Center in 2010 to support developers and give them access to a myriad of other services and resources from the company as they create innovative applications for consumers.

Watch a Replay of the Conference on the Web
A replay of the conference, which also featured Jim Balsillie, co-chief executive officer, Research In Motion, and speakers from Softbank Mobile, EA Mobile, Slacker, and Siri, as well as deep-dive sessions planned for the afternoon, will be available on the Web at www.vdc2009.com beginning Wednesday at noon PT. News and updates about the VDC will be posted on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VDCConference.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia

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