Verizon opening up it’s network somewhat

I am starting to follow the world of mesh networks and things related to that.

One immediate question that has popped up is: now that there are cell towers everywhere, what advantage might there be to creating a new national or global or mobile network based on mesh technology? I am just an ignoramus so far on this, but in that quest, I came across this article.

"It was the first step in an initiative Verizon began last fall
in an effort to open up its network to entrepreneurs interested in
creating devices and mobile applications not sold through the company’s
retail stores." (from Verizon Details Its Open Wireless Plans)

Does this allow the creation of a new class of device placed in homes or cars or what-not that uses the cell network as it's backbone?