Back in 2007 you might recall that Verizon announced their dedication to open networks and platforms via something they called the Open Handset Alliance, which was a supposed dedication to allowing users the access to any handset and app of their choice. You also might recall the press got incredibly gushy about Verizon's new love of openness before Verizon actually accomplished anything, praising the company for completely changing their locked down, corporate telco culture.

Several years later talk about the open pledge has died down, and Verizon told some press outlets this week at their developer's conference that the program is "more about procedures and certification than an actual program these days."

To their credit, Verizon's been a bit less draconian than some in terms of crippling handsets thanks to their initial need to embrace Android to fend off the AT&T iPhone exclusive. However, their dedication to "openness" still includes trying to block tethering applications for app stores and working with Google to crush neutrality rules for wireless that would have required disclosure of network management practices.