[cocojumbo123]

Actually network operators are extremely worried of becoming just a dumb bit pipe. They have seen what happened to fixed telephony and don't want to get the same route.

I mean how else would they make users pay 20c for 140 bytes :)

For example, many global operators tried some variant of a walled garden (apps, music, ringtones, etc). Another example: afaik there are no technological limitations of having something called "homezone" - i.e. when at home all your mobile traffic goes via WiFi and not through operator's network.

Luckily for us, users, innovative competition (like free.fr - it's in French) will help break the giants and lower the rates.

Disclaimer: I work in Telecom sector, not for an operator though