Opening its doors

Verizon Wireless has committed to open its network to any phone or software application by the end of year '08, which will make it the first mobile carrier in the US to do so.

The newly-opened network is a boon to Google, which lobbied to make an open network a requirement to companies wishing to bid in the upcoming wireless airwave auction.

Verizon and other competitors have long kept tight control over which devices and software can be used on their networks, typically sharing the revenue generated, reports Reuters.

Verizon claims it has no plans to change its business model; it is merely looking out for customers as new device and software options continue to flood the marketplace.

Since Google-powered mobile software could now work on Verizon's network, the move may make a Google bid in the upcoming auction unnecessary, according to an analyst at Bank of America.

Meanwhile, AT&T neglected to say whether the top mobile service in the States would follow suit or not, brusquely stating that the company "already has a robust line-up of devices and software."