Why is the freedom from carriers thought of a great advantage for consumers in the US? There is no advantage as I see it. All the carriers have the same price for a data plan. And more importantly it has only increased since the iPhone's inception. Only T-Mobile because its desperate is offering $50 plans now. And if the other carriers see it as an advantage they will offer it too. But I would guess that once T-Mobile gains enough customers they will start jacking up their rates again.