Verizon Wireless deflects heat by shortening exclusivity terms, sort of

Take that, FCC. Just as big brother starts to turn up the heat and examine wireless carrier exclusivity deals more thoroughly, Verizon Wireless has announced a new policy. Moving forward, any device Verizon negotiates exclusivity for will be a VZW exclusive for no more than six months — at least where carriers with less than 500,000 subscribers are concerned. Our guess: Verizon crunched some numbers and determined that sales drop off significantly enough after six months that it can throw tiny carriers a bone after that period of time — and it can use this move to look like the good guy. Big Red CEO Lowell McAdams had this to say:

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.

There you have it folks. If a tiny regional carrier is currently your home you should be getting your hands on new devices a bit more promptly now. If you’re on Sprint and are hoping for a hot new Verizon exclusive however, you’ll likely still have a while to wait.

Read