Verizon CIO Shaygan Kheradpir told those at a press briefing that the technology for the app was already in place, but that the company was clearing it with its content providers. The app will be available after all the providers sign on.
The GigaOm report notes that Verizon also showed off a new video-on-demand app that will allow subscribers to rent or buy movies and content through the company's website or a set-top box, and then download and watch on up to five PCs and/or mobile devices, including the Droid X, Droid 2, Blackberry Storm, and Windows Mobile 6.5 devices. Functionality for the Big Red iPhoneis also in the works. The VOD app will be available Q4 of this year.
In other Verizon news, Fierce Wireless reports that in southern California the carrier is testing a $99 unlimited everything plan to counter Sprint's Simply Everything plan, also priced at $99 per month. A Verizon spokesperson told FW that it was a limited-time promotion available on single lines only. The pricing, or at least the "unlimited part," isn't likely to stand once tiered data plans are rolled out.
Regardless, the testing is an indication that Verizon is experimenting with its pricing strategies. The nation's largest carrier is often branded as the "luxury mobile provider" compared to the likes of T-Mobile, which offers an unlimited everything plan on its no-contract Even More Plus for $79.99 per month.
To counter other discount carriers like MetroPCS, Cricket, and Boost, Verizon is also testing a $50 unlimited prepaid plan in the Southeast.
It will be interesting to watch how the price wars develop, particularly with Verizon's ambitious handset roadmap and LTE offerings in the pipeline. Will the nation's largest carrier be able to expand its 4G footprint without bumping costs or adding $10 surcharges?
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