“I’ve claimed previously that Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android phone software were going to transform the mobile phone industry here in the US. Well, today, we got some clear evidence of that effect: Verizon Wireless, the number two wireless vendor in the US, has announced that it will open its network to phones and software not sold by Verizon by the end of 2008,” Carl Howe writes for Blackfriars’ Marketing.

“Don’t expect Apple’s iPhone to end up on Verizon’s network in 2009. Apple’s exclusive carrier deal with AT&T for the iPhone doesn’t expire until summer of 2012. But at the same time, that deal doesn’t prevent Apple from introducing a Verizon EVDO-powered tablet, either,” Howe writes.

Full article here.

Verizon Wireless’ press release here.