I think it is brilliant how many people are stating that Nokia should not cripple their devices, and Ill agree to an extent. If you buy your device from Nokia it should not be crippled. BUT if I buy it from T-Mobile, at a subsidized cost, then they have every right to cripple it.

Now, consumers get to be consumers and make their own choices, is a 300$ subsidy enough so that I will not access skype or perform mobile tethering ?

Let the customer choose!!!!!

Now Skype on the network, t-mobile or ATT or verizon etc can very easily block access to the service in general. if it is their prerogative let them do it, those that want access to those services will leave. (and not have to pay cancellation fees in the US because it is a material change in their terms of service.)

The whole point of what I am saying is that Nokia can have their cake and eat it too. Currently Nokia has a minimal stake in one of the largest, wealthiest consumer markets in the world, the US. If they are to be successfully they need to have at minimum a 20% market share in the us and a >33% globally.

They can do this by appealing to consumers and trusting that they will make the choices that best suit them. This will work as long as network carriers continue to allow "unlocked" phones onto their networks. When that changes... well no comment.

Let the customer choose.