Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. mobile phone carrier announced that it would limit exclusive deals of new handset distribution to six months to let small regional carriers to receive access to these exclusive new handsets.

Now Verizon's deals with handset makers will last for only 6-month period, down from 1-2 years earlier, letting small carriers to sell smartphones such as LG Chocolate, BlackBerry Storm etc.

Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam said the exclusive handset will be made available to the companies with 500,000 or fewer customers.

Both, the Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission have been investigating if customers are affected adversely by exclusive deals between wireless telephone companies and handset makers.

For instance, AT&T's exclusive deal with Apple to sell the trendy iPhone is depriving consumers belong to regions not entertained by AT&T.

Most analysts believe that carriers would shorten the duration of their exclusive deals to avoid action from the Federal Communications Commission.

Verizon's current move is offering advice to other companies too.