Damn...I was hopeful that the days of Carrier customization might be over...but I see the stories of it's demise were premature.

I would accept Carrier customization with 3 rules:

1. Carrier custom programs should not replace any original built in programs. ie: Rogers music player instead of Nokia music player. You can add things, but don't remove the things that come with the phone already. Compete with a similar or better program, don't force me.
2. Carrier custom themes, images, sounds, etc...should be deleteable. If I don't use them, or I don't want them, I should be able to remove them from taking up memory on my phone.
3. Crippling of any kind shouldn't be allowed. If a phone has a feature when announced, I don't want to get it to find out Voip or something else has been removed.