Following in the footsteps of Verizon, AT&T has announced it too will avail its network to any handset.

The change isn't exactly news. AT&T Wireless customers have always been able to use almost any GSM phone on the company's network and swap SIMs — something the company readily admits.

"You can use any handset on our network you want," asserted CEO Ralph de la Vega of AT&T Wireless, speaking with USA Today. "We don't prohibit it, or even police it."

Reasons for the announcement probably stem from the open access requirements placed on the spectrum made available for auction this January, as well as the impending bid from Google, a newbie to the carrier arena toting liberal plans for the sector.

With these factors in play, AT&T may be playing nice, ensuring it stays around when the day of carrier reign finally ends.