Indeed. In India, most phones are available unlocked. Also: (1) SMS and voice calls are dirt cheap on most networks, (2) there are no arbitrary vendor lock-ins, (3) voice quality on most networks is very, very good and (4) there are many, many mobile carriers to choose from.

We still need number portability and affordable mobile Internet, though. Ah well.

EDIT: s/India/New Delhi. I'm not sure about the state of mobile networks in other parts of the country.