Mobile phones sold by wireless providers in Canada are typically programmed with a "digital lock" so that customers are limited to using their own carrier's network.

For years, this has not been an issue since the networks of Canada's big three cellphone companies - Bell, Rogers and Telus - were generally incompatible anyway. But now that new technology has allowed for compatibility, some are questioning whether the industry standard of locking cellphones is still a good idea.

Critics argue that the practice is a barrier to consumer choice, while proponents say that locking is done to protect the carrier's investment in the devices.  

Canadians can unlock their phones through various methods, including taking the device to an independent phone dealer. Unlocking a phone is legal, but doing so typically voids the warranty.

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Have you ever unlocked your cellphone? Is unlocking it worth the risk of losing your warranty?

(This poll is not scientific. It is based on readers' votes.)