Neowin posted a story that Microsoft detailing how the enthusiast user can get the WP8 updates ahead of carrier approval

Windows Phone 7 was a game changer for Microsoft. Universally positive reviews were met with acceptable sales for a new(ish) platform. Hardware support was good and the major carriers generally tended to offer at least one Windows Phone 7 device.

However getting updates to the handset, while not difficult, was an exercise in itself; most users had to wait until the carriers had tested the updates with the devices they offered before releasing the updates to the masses.

The Mango update was a good example of a staggered launch, with some carriers offering it before others. Although as we reported on at the time, there was a way to get it once Microsoft made it available.

  Microsoft details WP8 update program for enthusiast users