Reasons why network operators would like to embed their own firmware in handsets include, in no particular order: This means that there is inevitably going to be a delay between the moment when the manufacturer releases a new version of the firmware that can be installed into vanilla handsets and the moment when the network operators have caught up and modified their own versions of the new firmware.

I got a question about updating the firmware on a SIM-locked N95. She had work done on her phone so now it's SIM-free.In general, you should always use the latest firmware available for your phone.Why is Nokia Software updater not showing me the latest firmware verion you have listed here?Firmware is the software embedded in the handset that defines things like the phone's menus and other things like pre-defined media (images, music clips, videos etc.), and basically makes the phone "work".This is as opposed to user-installed software like Google Maps, installable themes and other add-ons that you can download off the Internet and transfer over to your handset.* Midlet icon may be shown twice after installation in some cases.* Midlet suite upgrade doesn’t work correctly if amount of midlets in suite has changed.