That doesn't affect me. I need some service, any service, to use 3G on any device in my pocket to be always on.

So whether I need to sign a 2 year contract or not is totally irrelevant.. because for the foreseeable future I will still be using a phone service.

And as you said in your post: Each phone has a specific set of ranges that it will work with - also meaning that there will only be one, maybe two if you're lucky, 3G services with which to choose from.

As far as the N900 here in the United States - if I want to use it for anything worthwhile all the time I have to use T-mobile. So regardless if I have a contract with them or not, I still require their service to fully utilize my new "phone".

So spending $99 or $199 on a phone + 2 year contract... or spending $500 or $800 on a phone and... oh - still using the service for the next 2 years...

I save nothing.