Verizon to open cell network to all phones
http://tinyurl.com/ywczjj

November 27 2007: 2:14 PM EST

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Verizon Wireless will break with the rest of
the cell phone industry and become the first mobile operator in the U.S.
to let customers use any phone on its network, the company announced
Tuesday.

The No. 2 U.S. wireless operator said that, by the end of 2008, its
customers could use phones and other devices that they've purchased
anywhere, as long as they meet certain standards.

It is a major change for Verizon Wireless, which had previously only
sold phones and service together as a package. Cell phone carriers
currently dictate what selection of phones customers may purchase, and
even what software is on the phones.
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Phones and devices that access Verizon Wireless' network will still have
to meet technical standards dictated by Verizon, and the company said it
would publish guidelines for designing software and devices for the
network early in 2008.

Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and
Britain's Vodafone PLC.