Network locking is a form of money. If I can lock your phone to my network, that's worth money to me because you're more likely to stay with my network. As such

Network locking is a form of money. If I can lock your phone to my network, that's worth money to me because you're more likely to stay with my network. As such, I can offer the phone to you for cheaper. If I can't lock it, I'm going to charge you more. Is this something that requires government intervention? Perhaps, as many people don't understand the issues and may be taken advantage of. IMHO a better solution would be to require a maximum price to unlock phones (10 currency units?) and not get so involved in technology that changes quickly.