"> Not in the EU. It is a legal requirement in the EU to unlock
Can't find any direct legislation on this. Only thing that seems close is some consumer protection legislation... can you point me in the right direction?"
I don't know what the EU directives are but I remember when I was looking for info on roaming regulation on the EU commission's web site I stumbled into a note that said something about such a policy being adopted for the whole EU following the regulation implemented in the UK (by OFCOM the UK regulator). Maybe the EU hasn't made much progress in implementing this, I haven't followed it that closely in recent years. Trust me the operators in the UK do follow the OFCOM rules on subsidies and unlocking. Once you have had your phone for three months you can walk into any mobile phone shop in the UK, pay the £35 and have it unlocked. Ask the friendly staff why and they will confirm its due to legislation not because the operators are so kind.
"So don't buy encumbered products? The carriers will soon notice the huge dent you have caused on the Japanese economy and rethink their business strategies."
Yeah right, which is precisely why this sort of thing has to be done by regulation or legislation, it won't happen due to demand, because the whole scheme is designed to artificially create demand by bribing consumers. That's the point.
"Your argument seemed to be that your phone's firmware has some brain damaged security where-by all files have to be digitally signed"
I didn't make any argument, I only chimed in to confirm what somebody had posted about not being able to do this or that due to operator imposed restrictions after somebody else said this was "rubbish". My phone is a Symbian phone, I think the Symbian OS allows operators to reject anything that isn't signed by them, if they are so inclined and Softbank apparently is.
As for Apple, my phone predates the iPhone by 2 years and it's got a bunch of restrictions (as explained), so I believe I am entitled to say with confidence that Apple didn't start the restrictions on smart phones thing.
Honestly, I really couldn't care less what people think of Apple or Softbank, the only thing I feel strongly about is the absence of legislation or regulation on limiting handset subsidies and SIM locks, but for macro-economic reasons, not because I can't unlock my phone.
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@ Daniel
"> Not in the EU. It is a legal requirement in the EU to unlock
Can't find any direct legislation on this. Only thing that seems close is some consumer protection legislation... can you point me in the right direction?"
I don't know what the EU directives are but I remember when I was looking for info on roaming regulation on the EU commission's web site I stumbled into a note that said something about such a policy being adopted for the whole EU following the regulation implemented in the UK (by OFCOM the UK regulator). Maybe the EU hasn't made much progress in implementing this, I haven't followed it that closely in recent years. Trust me the operators in the UK do follow the OFCOM rules on subsidies and unlocking. Once you have had your phone for three months you can walk into any mobile phone shop in the UK, pay the £35 and have it unlocked. Ask the friendly staff why and they will confirm its due to legislation not because the operators are so kind.
"So don't buy encumbered products? The carriers will soon notice the huge dent you have caused on the Japanese economy and rethink their business strategies."
Yeah right, which is precisely why this sort of thing has to be done by regulation or legislation, it won't happen due to demand, because the whole scheme is designed to artificially create demand by bribing consumers. That's the point.
"Your argument seemed to be that your phone's firmware has some brain damaged security where-by all files have to be digitally signed"
I didn't make any argument, I only chimed in to confirm what somebody had posted about not being able to do this or that due to operator imposed restrictions after somebody else said this was "rubbish". My phone is a Symbian phone, I think the Symbian OS allows operators to reject anything that isn't signed by them, if they are so inclined and Softbank apparently is.
As for Apple, my phone predates the iPhone by 2 years and it's got a bunch of restrictions (as explained), so I believe I am entitled to say with confidence that Apple didn't start the restrictions on smart phones thing.
Honestly, I really couldn't care less what people think of Apple or Softbank, the only thing I feel strongly about is the absence of legislation or regulation on limiting handset subsidies and SIM locks, but for macro-economic reasons, not because I can't unlock my phone.