As excited as I was to get my new Samsung phone I told you about earlier, I forgot one very important aspect of that “free upgrade” — I’m still stuck with my same cell phone provider. The one who claims to provide me with “unlimited” text messages for a small fortune, but who really means that I can send free text messages to anyone else stuck with them. Messages to or from folks using other calling plans cost money. BIG money.

I’m also now obligated to stick with them for another two years. Two years. What was I thinking?

Needless to say, I’m seriously hoping that the FCC’s proposed rules for the auction of the 700 Mhz channel go through. Why? Because part of those proposed rules would allow cell phone customers to “unlock” their cell phones and take them to the network of their choosing.

Which means I could keep my Samsung and go with a company like Cricket Wireless, which has plans that also offer unlimited text and instant messaging with other plan customers plus up to 200 messages to people outside their network. All without a two-year contract. Plus the plan is significantly less than what I’m paying now.

Even with my nifty little Bluetooth headset that arrived in yesterday’s mail (oh, man I love that thing!), I’ll probably never turn into someone who actually enjoys talking on the phone, or who feels the need to constantly be in touch with folks via text messaging or IM. After all, that’s what I’ve got a blog for. But, frankly, I rather like the thought that sending or receiving messages from friends wouldn’t be sucking my wallet dry.

Hey, now there’s a thought for an appropriate ringtone….