I'm sorry, but if you had that much of an issue with "locked" features, why didn't you purchase an unlocked phone? My husband purchased unlocked phones for us a few years back. They worked well and did what they were meant to do. When I purchased a phone a couple of months back, I decided to go with a blackberry that my provider was offering for $50 rather than purchase another unlocked phone. Why? Because it was cheaper for me to do so and I decided I didn't need the "locked" features.

It isn't as if the company isn't providing you with some alternative correct? The alternative to purchase an unlocked cell phone through the manufacturer or a 3rd party?