Rumors have it that Verizon Wireless is looking to trim the number of operating systems that its phones support from around 8-9 disparate systems to 3-4 OSes to reduce the time that it takes to test and certify hardware and software for launch or use on its network.

The rumored news was presented by Reuters. Currently, Verizon Wireless supports Research in Motion’s BlackBerry platform, Microsoft’s Windows Mobile OS, Palm OS, Nokia’s Symbian, and a slew of others.

In reducing the platform to several major operating systems, could Verizon Wireless be cutting out dumb phones? Perhaps the carrier will choose all the major smartphone operating system, and have manufacturers standardize on Android if they want a low-cost OS alternative to Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Symbian, or Palm. If in fact the rumors are true, the shift wouldn’t be a major change to Verizon’s business model, which emphasizes the strong network with great reception rather than extensibility or choice. Unlike other mobile carriers, Verizon has historically locked many of its phones features, although the hardware would support these additional features. The reasoning: to ensure that the phones function as advertised on the carrier’s network.

Is this the beginning of the death of the dumb phone?