I don't believe that for a minute, or do I since it's VM?
Nah, VM don't like their equipment to be on different firmware. There's also upcoming extra functionality for the SH3's that will necessitate newer firmware.
SH3 are important to VM because they can auto-balance signal levels (meaning a lot less technician visits), and they can channel bond a lot more channels. That's why they are handing them out like candy.