Vodafone not enabling firmware update!!!

Question

I fail to understand the logic in Vodafone not enabling the new firmware update for the N95 8GB!!!
I see no reason for those who are on Vodafone to have to wait longer to update their phone...
I didn't know Vodafone had any firmware for the N95 8GB I just thought Nokia does all concerning the phone and Vodafone enables me to make calls and txts etc...
Since when does a network provider release firmware updates?
Since when is the software on a phone on Vodafone different from that on 3mobile, for instance?

Answer 1

Network operators have two main objectives:
(1) To sell phones to enable you to use their services
(2) To make money from your use of their services.
In many countries, the network operators dominate the markets for mobile phone sales, which is what gives them the power to demand their own versions of the phone software.
Approving subsequent updates to that software is not a commercial priority from the operators, because they do not make any money for doing it - you already have the phone and you are already using their network services, so their objectives are already met.
This is the downside of getting the phone free or at a heavily subsidised price. I live in Belgium, we have no SIM-locking and operator versions of phones, so we always get the updates on time - our downside is that we always have to pay full price for the phone in the first place.