Innovation centers are popping up throughout the world as wireless operators, infrastructure vendors, device suppliers and even governments aim to further collaborate with applications developers on the next new product, service, device or application.
Just this week Verizon Wireless (VZ) and the Federal Communications Commission opened centers in Waltham, Mass., and Washington, D.C., respectively. Verizon plans to open a second center in San Francisco this summer. I toured AT&T Mobility’s (T) center and L.M. Ericsson’s (ERIC) lab in May in Dallas. There are numerous other centers either already operating or planning to open soon by most of the major players in the wireless sector. Indeed, Integer Wireless, which provides in-building Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) is opening a wireless experience center so enterprises can get a better understanding of in-building solutions, as well as test interoperability between different products.
All of these projects point to the increased collaboration required among all of the interested parties to bring the full promise of wireless broadband to the marketplace. Verizon is touting the 300-plus technology experts working at its innovation center. The FCC’s Technology Experience Center “is an on-site technology lab that will provide FCC employees and guests the opportunity to experience the latest devices at the forefront of the technology, broadcast radio and mobile revolutions,” the agency said in a news release announcing that the center had opened. The center uses equipment donated by companies.
This increased collaboration, allowing developers access to the latest technology on the fastest networks, will certainly bring great new “somethings” to market. In a way, it’s how the biggest telecom giants get to be a little more like the two guys working in a garage.
