[Vox]

If the goal is to improve value for the consumer the issue isn't locked/unlocked phones anyway. It is competion. Until the CRTC and Industry Canada make it easier for more competion to exist, whether it be domestic or foreign, consumers in Canada will continue to pay extremely high rates.

I'll predict now that of the new spectrum sold to Wind, Shaw, MTS Allstream you will see either niche services provided (Shaw), enhanced services in already dominant markets (MTS), and the future acquisition of bandwidth and subscribers by the big three carriers (ie Wind will be aquired by Rogers, Bell or Telus).

As well, the existing carriers are incredibly adept at swaying the CRTC, and where they can't sway them simply ignorning or circumventing the rules. For example, we have class action law suits in Canada trying to stop the carriers from charging the 'system access fees' that the CRTC has made illegal, rather than the CRTC enforcing the rules.

I actually have no problem with the locked phones - the carriers need to make money and deserve to know they are going to make money if they subsidize my phone. Just give the consumer more choice of carriers to keep the rates competitive.