I really can' t imagine why this forcefully pre-segmented market exists at all -- except for to keep the carriers from beating themselves to death. Then again,

I really can' t imagine why this forcefully pre-segmented market exists at all -- except for to keep the carriers from beating themselves to death. Then again, completely free markets rarely exist but this is bordering a cartel. "Psst! Hey, I won't sell X and will offer only Y, if only you won't sell Y and offer only X." I like to buy the best phone that suits my needs, and choose the best carrier that suits my needs. If those two are coupled, I am given suboptimal selection of choices as soon as I want a phone I can't get from one carrier or I want a certain carrier that doesn't deliver the phone of my choice.