Play nice, Verizon. Google wants to play too.

My first cordless telephone was a NOKIA 5190, black and green screen, with no user functionality. The key most often used on my phone was 2 for Mom. It was actually a pretty good function - it usually got me a ride somewhere. Now that I'm older, I no longer have to depend on mom to get me to or fro. I have GPS for that. Today, the basic user functionality extends beyond what the average user even needs. Nokia is leading in the cell phone market, selling around 435 million phones worldwide last year. Sales for Nokia are trailing in the US due to the competition (Apple). There is, however, speculation of a turnaround for Nokia. Earlier this year, Verizon (US Nokia provider) released its spec requirements in order to allow open-access for developers. The goal is for developers to create applications (must meet Verizon tech standards) to be used as third-party apps for Verizon users. Google is calling Verizon out, warning the FCC that Verizon is not staying on clear path with open-access rules. According to PC World, "the FCC's open-access rules required the winner of the C block to allow customers to connect wireless devices of their choosing and run any applications on the network using the C block." Verizon beat out Google in this year's auction of the "C block" licenses, with its $4.7billion dollar bid. Since then, Verizon has been on the chopping block. Verizon has taken the position (before and after winning its bid) that the network "wants to be able to sell "locked" devices that are subsidized by the carrier and limited to applications and services approved by the carrier" (Information Week). Students at MIT have already shown the capabilities of the open source network. A professor at MIT assigned 20 students to develop a software program using the Android (Google's upcoming operating system). Read what they have already come up with here. Google wants to ensure Verizon is following the rules. Especially now that Google jumped on board the $14.5billion partnership, with companies SprintNextel, Intel, ComCast, and Time Warner (collectively, "Clearwire"). Google stated in the FCC filing,"Action now is especially necessary given the long lead time typically required for software applications developers and device manufacturers to design, develop, and deploy their products to the public, as well as the uncertainty Verizon has introduced publicly regarding its compliance with the open access obligations." Google's $500million investment in Clearwire will put them up front and center on cell phones, enabling all new cell phones sold by Clearwire to run on Android. Of course, there are a myriad of reasons why Google invested in such a deal (steal?). One being that Google will serve as the default search provider on all Sprint phones. Two, the Company will be involved in the next generation of mobile internet ... introduce: 4G WiMax. Three, the chance to beat out Verizon and AT&T to become the number one mobile service provider will knock the socks off of Google investors. Google's current stock price is 584.94 +11.74 (May 12 4:00pm ET). Yes, it can get higher. Google had a 52-week high on Nov 7, 2007. The price? 747.24 (Yahoo! Finance). 10 years ago, I pressed 2 for Mom. Today, I dialed 2 for mom, but I dialed 2 right after I read The Times front page headlines, breezed thru twitter updates, and emailed a real estate agent about leasing commercial space.