Verizon Wireless opens to other phones

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Verizon Wireless opens to other phones

By BRIAN BERGSTEIN, AP Technology Writer

Tue Nov 27, 2:45 PM ET

Verizon Wireless plans to open its network to devices other than the ones hand-picked by the company, a move that could expand the features available on mobile phones and give the second-largest U.S. wireless carrier a response to a phone software project led by Google Inc.

The decision, announced Tuesday, means that customers would be able to buy devices of their own choosing and run them on Verizon's network. Traditionally, wireless providers like Verizon let customers pick only carrier-approved devices, with carrier-approved software features.

FULL STORY: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071127/ap_on_..._open_network_2

[Goose 188]

This is great news! It's about time the consumer has greater choice in choosing their mobile device. It will be interesting to see if manufacturers follow suit and offer "unlocked" devices that will be able to, off the shelf, work on such networks. While i know there are more pressing matters facing our nation, it would be nice to see the government make such moves mandatory as well as do away with the 2 year contract bind that has plagued so many customers. Maybe this is the first of many steps!