Verizon to open network for Google Phone, iPhone
There has been a lot of buzz in the blogosphere on how to unlock an iPhone so that it can work on networks other than AT&T's rather slow network. Sprint and Verizon have faster CDMA networks, and new handsets that are not network-specific are expected in 2008. These handsets will use the open source software that Google is releasing that is java-based.
Google is lobbying the FCC to require the 700-megahertz spectrum that is coming on the market (as soon as UHF TV moves to digital) be open to to any device. These wireless networks are expensive to build and Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T are entitled to be paid for their work, but people should be able to use the handset they want. I am eager to try the linux/java handsets in my continuing effort to free myself from Microsoft. I'm glad that Verizon is going to give me a shot at it. I think they have the fastest, most robust wireless network. Expensive, though...!