MOLI VIEW™

Ever since cell phones became mass-market devices, they have been kept artificially inexpensive and inflexible — for the same reason. They were often sold below cost to consumers, who were required to sign up for a contract with a wireless service company which would cover the remaining cost of the phone. Although the system could be Byzantine, it got sophisticated devices to the masses relatively quickly. Remember: As recently as a decade ago, anyone who carried a cell phone was either a stock trader, a drug dealer, or a jerk.

That system started to change as techies began unlocking their phones; sometimes to use another network in another country, sometimes just for fun. But most people didn't pay attention until Apple introduced its iPhone, which in the US was tied to AT&T. Everyone from foreign hackers to New Jersey teens tried to make it work on other networks. Apple didn't like this, and no wonder: It looks like AT&T pays them about $18 per customer per month.

Yesterday, Verizon announced that it will open its service network to any compatible phone, although it's not abandoning its traditional business model. This could be the first rock in a landslide: Google's plans for the mobile business may rely on open systems, other companies will almost certainly follow Verizon, and this will pressure phone makers to offer more flexible phones.

For the consumer, this is a victory. Complaining about mobile phone coverage has become something of a national pastime, and people will now be free to choose which company to complain about. Service might even get better. Prices for calls should come down. That's competition.

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