BEDMINSTER, N.J.-The Tier 1 carriers continued to move to universal multimedia messaging service interoperability this week as Verizon Wireless quietly became MMS-interoperable with Sprint Nextel Corp.’s iDEN network and T-Mobile USA Inc.
Verizon Wireless subscribers can now exchange picture and video messages with users of Cingular Wireless L.L.C., Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile USA, Alltel Corp., Leap Wireless International Inc. and U.S. Cellular Corp. Verizon Wireless became MMS interoperable with Sprint Nextel’s CDMA network in July, but only last week brought Sprint Nextel’s iDEN users into the fold; interoperability with T-Mobile USA was completed Friday.
Verizon Wireless now has notched MMS agreements with every major U.S. operator.
Tier 1 operators are inching toward making good on last year’s vow to provide universal MMS interoperability, an effort analysts say will spur revenues from picture- and video-messaging. Most major carriers have interoperability agreements in place with their competitors, although Nextel Communications Inc.-which had not announced any MMS interoperability agreements before it merged with Sprint Corp. in August-remains a sticking point.
A Verizon Wireless spokesman said the company now plans to focus on establishing interoperability agreements with carriers overseas.
