i read the other day that they call it "brick modus". an "illegal" unlocked phone cant be updated. if one is doing so, the phone freezes to a brick and only a specialist can make it work again.

in germany t-mobile lost on court versus vodafon to be the prime reseller and to force customers to such tough contracts. now vodafon seems to be able to sell the phone without contracts, but it will take about 900€ to get one.