your network's mobiles or my own

I am not intending to sign up for any mobile phone service any time soon. I did however bring my mobile phone for the fun of it. Then I remembered. It works differently in the US as usual. The cellphone service you sign up for determines which range of phones you get. So, my cellphone is pretty much useless really. I thought in this country of consumerism, the consumer would have more power of choice. How did we let that happen? But wait, Verizon wireless recently announced a shocking news that it will allow for opening networks from next year or so at a fee! I guess that's an improvement and my mobile phone has potential for use, possibly. Till then its hibernating in some box somewhere.