This highlights a major function of the mobile operators: retail store support. I know people want to think of the carrier network as a dumb pipe, but the carr

This highlights a major function of the mobile operators: retail store support. I know people want to think of the carrier network as a dumb pipe, but the carriers have major investments in customer support. This means creating training for their sales reps only on the devices they're selling Occasionally you'll find some rockstar in a retail store that can help you troubleshoot your non-carrier phone, but those people tend are the exception. Many of the retail reps do cargo-cult support. They try to stay within the boundaries of their training. This isn't terribly surprising- It's all downside if they try to fix your problem and accidentally break your phone. There isn't going to be much sympathy from either the customer or management if they screw up. This results in little to no support for off-carrier mobiles.