It will be possible to run with completely FLOSS software (including drivers) and it even solves the problem of the baseband modem having full control over the main CPU/memory.
Now if they accepted Bitcoins ...
But hey, I'll ask.
In the US at least, this is not the case:
https://www.fcc.gov/device-unlocking-faq
The cellular provider no more "owns the device" than the cable company "owns your TV."
> I can live with Linux ;)
But you are not living with Linux. You are living with Android ;-).
I'm not living with Android. I'm waiting for Linux.
Edit: I don't mean "own" literally, financially. I mean "own" in the sense of access and control. So yes, I can root "my" device, but I can't root the baseband radio.
http://kali4hackers.blogspot.com/2013/09/install-kali-linux-...
The baseband is a huge security hole. The provider in large part owns the device, regardless of what software it's running.
> ... so much as is anyone building an operating system which runs on commonly available smartphone devices which does not employ these tactics?
I can live with Linux ;)