The main theme in Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam’s keynote speech this afternoon at the Consumer Electronics Show were the big challenges facing different industries and society as a whole, and the ways that Verizon technology is helping. At one point, for example, he declared, “4g LTE proves the case that innovation in networks is the for innovation across the industry.”
Ultimately, however, McAdam said it’s not just about Verizon: “We know that to move this industry forward, the whole ecosystem needs to be involved in the innovation process.”
McAdam said Verizon is already pursuing this model in its labs in Waltham, Mass. and San Francisco, where it works with other companies to integrate Verizon technology. And his presentation was peppered with videos showcasing Verizon efforts with different partners in different industries. This approach can create “billions of dollars” in social benefit while also growing the industry, he said.
To expand its efforts in this direction, McAdam announced that Verizon is organizing a new awards program called Powerful Answers, and it will be giving out $1 million to the top contenders, with $10 million in total prizes.
The contest is open to applications in healthcare, education, and sustainability that take advantage of Verizon’s platforms. And it will be judged by a panel of independent experts, including CES CEO and Chairman Gary Shapiro.
