Verizon Trims Down Exclusivity Deals to Six Months

Cell phone exclusivity deals are a bane to those that live outside of coverage areas. Consider AT&T’s exclusive deal with the iPhone: if AT&T covers your area, you get your iPhone. If not, you’re basically out of luck and you get stuck with an enV or some other phone that’s not an iPhone. Balls. In reaction to this problem, and more accurately in reaction to the  increasing concern coming from Congress, the FCC and the Justice Department about this problem, Verizon Wireless has decided to shorten its exclusivity deals to just 6 months, after which time smaller carriers with fewer than 500,000 customers will be able to sell the phones. Previously, Verizon’s deals have often lasted for several years. Verizon Wireless announced the move in a letter sent to Congress by CEO Lowell McAdam. It will be interesting to see if any other major players follow suit. [via CNET]