Who cares. I wouldn't pay more to have a tablet tied to a carrier. Besides, tablets aren't phones and since you need a phone, just use it as the tablet's hotspot. Why would anyone want to pay for duplicate data plans?
Some consumers whine when they can't purchase unlocked devices and are forced into specific carrier plans and contracts and then when alternatives come around that provide freedom of choice (which carriers in the US don't currently allow with LTE) consumers still whine. What does LTE realistically provide that a solid HSPA+ network can't?
you're not getting my point. You claim HSPA+ is just as good as LTE or at least "good enough". Even if it is, it doesn't mater since all the carriers are going to LTE.