Google has the market power and resources to provide this option though. Hopefully Canonical will be able to provide the equivalent too through the 'non-marginal' carriers.
Android has plenty of other issues, though I think its the best available mobile option. Excepting the sailfish phone, which is way beyond my budget.
http://jolla.com/
Also relevant: Tizen, which is Linux Foundation backed, is also allowing customisation by manufacturers and carriers. Hence why samsung is trying it out for their smartwatch. Just pre-empting anyone who wants to beat on Canonical for trying to navigate the commercial realities of the mobile device market =)