"M.L." <me@privacy.invalid> wrote in message
news:CSdXj.1649$l97.628@flpi144.ffdc.sbc.com...
> The number of unlocked AT&T phones for sale on ebay will give you some
> idea of the popularity, in addition to the number of cellphone unlocking
> businesses on the Internet and ebay.

I'm not arguing about that- individual users are allowed plenty of
flexibility as to handset selection on AT&T and T-Mobile, as opposed to the
restrictive practices of Verizon and Sprint. The discussion was really
about churn and the reasons for it, or why customers choose particular
carriers over others, and I was making the case that lack of good high-end
handsets, and the features they offer, was one of the reasons T-Mo is less
popular than it is. Sure, I can buy an iPhone, or an unlocked Tilt or
whatever from AT&T or an N95 and put it them T-Mo, but without 3G, video
calling, mobile TV, etc., it's not really that advantageous to me to bother.
For example, I have a T-Mo MDA (HTC Wizard) now- what would, say, an 8525 or
a Tilt get me that I don't already have, when T-Mo doesn't offer compatible
3G?

> Much of the unlocking business is for used cellphones, and for those
> wanting to avoid getting a phone with a contract..

Until recently (Flexpay) a no-contract plan with T-Mo wasn't an option for
new customers- you could bring your shiny new N95 to them and they'd still
demand a 1-year contract. You poibt, however, is certainly valid with
respect to upgrades- unlocked/used phones can avoid a renewal if you're
replacing a broken or featureless phone.