About a year ago, carrier Verizon Wireless announced it would offer new options for using wireless devices, software and applications not provided directly by the company.

Today, 10 months after its first open development device conference, Verizon is offering devices that enable machine-to-machine communications. The carrier also certified two independent device testing labs for Verizon Wireless' open development program.

"About one year ago, we began sharing a vision to create new wireless opportunities for businesses and consumers, which would require reinvigorating innovation in the wireless marketplace," said Anthony A. Lewis, vice president of open development at Verizon Wireless, Basking Ridge, NJ, in a written statement.

"Today, we are making progress toward that goal, and looking toward a future where additional devices, as well as applications and software, will be available to customers from a growing portfolio of open development options," he said.

Verizon Wireless provided a timeline recounting how its open development program evolved over the course of 2008.

On Nov. 27, 2007, Verizon Wireless' CEO Lowell McAdam announcedthe company's open development initiative, with the goal to provide customers with the option to use wireless devices, software and applications on its nationwide wireless network that are not offered directly by the company by the end of 2008.

On Jan. 1, 2008, Anthony A. Lewis became vice president of Verizon Wireless' open development program.

On Jan. 22, 2008, Verizon Wireless announced its March 2008 Open Development Device Conference, focusing largely on devices to run on the Verizon Wireless network.

On March 19, 2008, Verizon Wireless hosted its Open Development Device Conference in New York, with more than 600 companies participating.

Verizon Wireless also issued Version 1.0 of the technical specifications for new wireless devices to operate on the network.

On May 14, 2008, Verizon Wireless joined the LiMo Foundation as a board of directors member, helping unify the mobile industry around openness and Linux as the key enablers to lowering development costs.

On June 20, 2008, Verizon Wireless hosted an open development device webcast for developers, which includes program and Web updates to simplify device certification.

On July 1, 2008, the Prophet wireless inventory telemetry device from Telular (formerly SupplyNet) was certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network, the first device to complete certification through the open development program.

On Aug. 8, 2008, Behavioral Intervention's offender tracking wireless anklet was certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network.

On Sept. 23, 2008, BlueTree's CDMA (EV-DO Rev. A) 6000 series products were certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network.

On Oct. 21, 2008, Intertek was designated as the first independent device testing lab for Verizon Wireless' open development program.

On Nov. 6, 2008, the Digi Transport family of enterprise-class, multi-function cellular routers, including the Digi Transport WR, Digi Transport DR and Digi Transport SR models, were certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network.

On Nov. 11, 2008, PCTEST Engineering Laboratory was designated as the second independent device testing lab for Verizon Wireless' open development program.

On Dec. 16, 2008, Ambient's seven models of the X-3000 communications node for utility meters were certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network.

On Dec. 18, 2008, CalAmp's 882-EVDO 3G cellular broadband router was certified for use on the Verizon Wireless network and became commercially available.

Verizon Wireless claims that its open development program is driven by the company's desire to encourage innovation, give customers new wireless choices and quickly address opportunities to expand the wireless market.

Verizon Wireless will also continue to provide full-service offerings for business and consumer customers.

Verizon Wireless operates a wireless voice and data network serving 70.8 million customers, making it the No. 2 carrier in the U.S.

Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone.