whaaaat? seems a lot companies do what you say is impossible. sure: you do get the phone like others together with a contract for "free" or with some amount "paid back" if you choose the n900 together with a contract. who says you have to lock it down? that's nonsense really! it's actually the opposite way round: the iphone as a locked down phone is limited to few companies. for that you can only get it with contracts of a limited number of providers. the n900 you get free with a contract of most major tecos.