VERIZON TO SHORTEN EXCLUSIVITY PERIOD

It appears that the top people at Verizon Wireless decided to counter the current investigation into wireless carrier exclusivity deals. Accordignto a WSJ article, Verizon has informed government agencies that it will shorten time that it is the exclusive seller of certain handsets. Here's a statement from Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdams:

Any new exclusively arrangement we enter with handset makers will last no longer than six months – for all manufacturers and all devices… Exclusivity arrangements promote competition and innovation in device development and design. This new approach is fair to all sides.

Verizon is planning to restructure its agreements with handset makers and allow regional carriers with less than 500,000 subscribers the opportunity to sell handsets after an exclusive period of six months.

Regional carriers with less than 500,000 customers should be getting rights to new devices a bit more promptly now that Verizon has decided to restructure its agreements with handset makers other major carriers will follow this decision.

via Phone Scoop