The problem is that you are asking the guys who run the show to give up revenue they can see in return for the probability of other revenue in the future. Now you and I both know that if there were more innovation in the marketplace for phones, people would end up using more billable network features, even if they didn't buy so many ringtones. But cell companies are in bean counting mode, and bean counters only count the beans they can see. And they can see the ringtones and other downloadable silliness. They can't see anything else.

Sad really, as they are in a great position to make great heaping piles of money by providing the back end to a lot of innovative stuff, if only they could see past their noses.