What Is Alltel Brew?

BREW was one of the first software application programs for smart phones.

The wireless phone service provider Alltel began offering a plan for its smart phone customers powered by BREW, or Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless, in 2002. BREW allowed Alltel customers to download programs, such as video games, to their smart phones via applications. Alltel was bought by Verizon in 2009 but Verizon still offers BREW on its phone systems.

What the Service Provides

The BREW service originally offered email through Single Touch, EA Sports video games, Forbes financial news, new ringtones, and picture sharing applications.

What Is Required to Use It

Customers need a BREW enabled phone to use the service.

What Is BREW?

Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless is a program developed by the company Qualcomm. It enables smart phone users to download some software programs to their phones and run the programs on their phones.

Charges for Plans

When the BREW system premiered in 2002, customers were charged for the download and operation time for each software program.

References

• Business Net: Alltel Offers BREW Service Across Digital Service Area
• Phone Scoop: Verizon, Alltel Offer BREW Plans
• Qualcomm: BREW
• All Business: Hosting To Go In-House For BREW
• CNET: On Call: How the Alltel/Verizon Merger Affects You