SPOTLIGHT: Manufacturers are testing U.S. waters with unlocked phones

Nokia, Motorola and Sony Ericsson have started offering unlocked GSM phones at company-owned stores and independent retailers such as CompUSA. But without carrier subsidies, there is little incentive for consumers to buy these phones at higher price points. Nevertheless, experts say that the current subsidized phone model may be challenged by new players such as Apple with its upcoming iPhone launch. Article