Verizon Wireless has outlined plans to open up its network to the Java community, including deploying Java Platform Micro Edition (Java ME) in its network to offer Java-based services and applications, reports Wireless Week. Speaking at Sun’s 2009 JavaOne conference in San Francisco this week, Lowell McAdam, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless, told the Java developer community that the operator was working to make it easier for them to develop applications for Verizon Wireless customers. “What we’ve decided to do is open up our network elements,” McAdam said, citing areas such as presence and location that are particulary suited to application development. He added that the operator would be publishing specifications in time for its own developer conference next month.

Meanwhile, Sun used the event to officially launch its Java Store, which was first announced last month. The store is currently in a private beta version, though Java developers can already begin submitting applications. The store aims to reach the estimated 1 billion PC and mobile phone Java users worldwide. “The Java Platform reaches more customers than just about any other software platform in the industry,” said Eric Klein, vice-president of Java marketing at Sun, at the conference yesterday.