As promised last month, Verizon Wireless today announced the specs under which it's opening its network to new devices and applications.

"Verizon this morning laid out a parcel of standard CDMA features that vendors must conform to get on the Verizon network, as well as 'supplemental requirements' that the company wants met before gadgets get its stamp of approval," writes Unstrung's Dan Jones. "These include phone location capabilities that can meet the E911 emergency standard, over-the-air activation capabilities, and support for short messaging service text messaging."

"The carrier said that only devices that have passed compatibility tests will be allowed on the network," notes The New York Times' Laura M. Holson. "Executives said that Verizon hoped that the certification process would be quick - about a month - although that could vary depending on how much upfront work developers did before applying for certification. Verizon launched a Web site at which developers can ask questions, give feedback and follow their products through the approval process."

According to mocoNews' Tricia Duryee, additional specs include the following: device makers will be responsible for marketing and distributing the device, customers can either have a direct relationship with Verizon or the company can resell wholesale minutes, customer support will be handled online or via an 800 number, and certification will start at the end of the second quarter.

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