After Verizon Wireless attracted publicity for announcing it would open its wireless network to all devices next year, AT&T (News - Alert) jumped into the ring today, embracing the so-called "open devices" trend within the wireless industry.

 
"You can use any handset on our network you want," AT&T’s wireless business CEO Ralph de la Vega, told USA Today. "We don't prohibit it, or even police it."
 
Interestingly, De la Vega indicated that AT&T customers have had the option of using non-AT&T phones and applications for years, whether they knew it or not. This has led some critics to speculate that AT&T’s “announcement” is nothing more than a defensive play against Verizon (News - Alert).
 
Nevertheless, open source advocates have something to be pleased about—namely, that the big wireless companies are starting to take this issue seriously.
 
Despite AT&T’s open policy, the Apple (News - Alert) iPhones handset remains tied exclusively to the AT&T network.
 
Brian Solomon is a Web Editor for TMCnet, covering news in the IP communications, call center and customer relationship management industries. To see more of his articles, please visit Brian Solomon’s columnist page. 
 
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