I don't understand why things like these are necessary in the USA. Why should network operator have control to which version you're running? Most other places you can just get new firmware directly from manufacturer.
Even if it weren't a contractual obligation, I can't imagine, say, the AT&T store loading a phone right now with iOS 7
The U.S. system where operators are such gatekeepers for mobile devices is an anomaly. It doesn't need to be so, and it is not so elsewhere.
I don't understand the overall picture of the U.S. telecom industry in the first place. Slow speeds, data caps, bad coverage, high prices and control freak carriers.
They load it with a default that you can change. That doesn't inhibit my choice in the slightest.
But a large number of people don't care to change their OS from the default, so the ecosystem gets loaded with a large number of those phones.
I just don't understand why the telecoms wouldn't use the newest OS as the default.
Why would they allow you to upgrade the OS when they can sell you a new phone and a new multi year contract. It's a pretty basic strategy.
Telstra didn't update because of a battery issue. Which was true... the battery died quickly if you left the GPS on. I didn't use the GPS much so I left it off. (This issue has since been resolved, then telstra enabled the update)
Considering I didn't even have Telstra as a carrier. it was because JB-HIFI is a Telstra reseller that this happened.
It's because the Manufacturer agreed to only update when Telstra updated. It's all through the Sony update software.
Also, the phone companies themselves need to put out the updates, which isn't happening a lot of the time (or with 6 month+ delays).