In an earlier blog post, I discussed AT&T’s failure to adequately perform basic maintenance on its wireless network. First-generation iPhone users were stuck on an extremely slow network built years earlier that failed to offer customers anything approaching acceptable service quality.

Two bits of news from the last couple of days point to a new trend: unsubsidized phones being offered without contracts. While these phones cost a pretty penny upfront, not being forced into a contract — and having the freedom to switch from carrier to carrier — is sounding mighty attractive these days.

Some news on the open wireless Internet:

It seems a day doesn’t go by without news of some fresh controversy breaking about the iPhone. The latest brouhaha concerns Verizon’s new ads targeting AT&T’s inferior 3G coverage.

Our wireless services are shackled. Hefty early-termination penalties, hidden overage fees, exclusive deals for wireless devices, loopholes in roaming regulations, and other problems are crying out for solutions.