We've read here recently, re: Snowden in Hong Kong, (rooted?) phones and ($5?) SIMs are inexpensive and popular in HK. Are there varieties of --I don't know, w

We've read here recently, re: Snowden in Hong Kong, (rooted?) phones and ($5?) SIMs are inexpensive and popular in HK. Are there varieties of --I don't know, what-- `rooted(?)', `unformatted(?)' SIMs that become desirable to a knowledgeable hacker community, beyond what consumers get with their service? edit: I just now found on HN front page: https://srlabs.de/rooting-sim-cards/ https://srlabs.de/rooting-sim-cards/