Originally Posted by tamanaco

I agree with that is being said about unlocked phones, but unfortunately in the US an unlocked phone is not really completely free to move from one service provider to another. When it comes to data connectivity all the US providers run the protocols to support high speed data services in different bands. So, while one can already buy an unlocked Nexus One in the US it will only reach its peak data speed (3G) with t-mobile. Take it to AT&T and you have dud... take it to Verizon and you have a brick. Voice connectivity is only an issue when you want to switch from a carrier that uses CDMA for voice to one that does not. Also, the big providers are not interested in providing competitively priced no-contract service for those of us that buy unlocked phones. Even after the end of a contract with a subsidize phone, providers do not deduct the cost of phone, you have already paid for, from your monthly fee.

In order for unlocked phones to be effective we need data and voice standards across providers ... but in the market place in the US any time the government wants to intervene to level the playing field for "consumers"... the industry and their lobbyist cry fault. We get the catch-all phrase... The Market will resolve it... In the meantime we become captured audiences for at least two years because of the economics of phone subsidies and the convenience of what "appears" to be a tailored contract. But we all know this is just what happens when you go to the movies... you either get a size of popcorn that is too small and expensive at $5.00 or the one that is too much, but appears to be a bargain at $5.75. We all get the size that's $5.75 and end up wasting money and popcorn.