said by JakCrow:Unlocking a phone isn't about software ownership. It's about hardware. You own your phone, and it's provider lock has nothing to do with what software it's running.
Once the hardware subsidy is paid off (typically the same term as the contract) - you DO truly own the phone, and can do as you please... I don't know a single carrier that won't unlock a phone after the contract has expired.
If you want that freedom from day one, then buy an ulocked phone at the retail price, not the heavily discounted, subsidized contract one.