nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD
 ·Comcast
| reply to EPS
Re: GSM the already open network
said by EPS  :There's one problem with your statement: 99% of American cell-phone users don't care how open the network is. (WARNING: Said statistic is made up) I don't think it's a matter of "don't care", it's a matter of being "clueless". people may bitch about cost, but they have no idea why the carriers can rip 'em a new a-hole on text messaging or other low cost (to the carriers) services. |
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EPS
join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA | That's probably a more accurate way.
But I do think most consumers don't care about the openness of the platform, only really what will save them money, what works, and what is easy to use, whether it comes directly from VZW or someone else. |
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wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·RoadRunner Cable
 ·BroadVoice
| reply to nasadude
said by nasadude :said by EPS :There's one problem with your statement: 99% of American cell-phone users don't care how open the network is. (WARNING: Said statistic is made up) I don't think it's a matter of "don't care", it's a matter of being "clueless". people may bitch about cost, but they have no idea why the carriers can rip 'em a new a-hole on text messaging or other low cost (to the carriers) services. I think you are mostly correct. However, the real issue is that Americans will never embrace "open" cell phones for one simple reason; the cost. Look around on this website, and other similar websites, about what US consumers are saying about cell phones. Its basically a whine-fest about how expensive phones are. What US consumers dont realize is that the reason their phones are so cheap (yes, I consider $100 to $300 to be VERY cheap for a phone) is because the carrier subsidizes the handset. In Europe on the other hand, most consumers purchase unlocked phones (with no subsidy) for between $500 and $1000. I would say the vast majority of the phones I have purchased in the past 10 years are unlocked European and Asian GSM units that cost me roughly $600 to $1000 each. I have multiple cell phone providers, and have been off contract since early 2001. This gives me the flexibility to chose which phones I want, and to come and go as I please. I will gladly pay more for a handset so that I dont need to be locked into a contract (with ETL fees of $200+, and term required monthly payments!), however most Americans dont feel this way.
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If history teaches us anything, it teaches that simple-minded appeasement or wishful thinking about our adversaries is folly.
-Ronald Reagan-
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kyler13
Is your fiber grounded?
join:2006-12-12
Arnold, MD
1 edit | Yes, but that's mostly because Americans don't understand it. I've said all along that I won't upgrade my phone on US networks unless it's free. If I don't have the freedom to take my hardware somewhere else, I won't pay for it, period. I'd pay a $5 monthly fee for two years to rent it (like my cable box) but I'm not even willing to pay $200 for a partially subsidized phone that won't cut the mustard in 2 years, repeat cycle until I've spent more than I would on an unlocked phone I'm happy keeping. Unlocked phones are expensive and give you the freedom to choose your network. Locked phones that bind you to the network should be cheap or free, but when the newest phones hit the market, they are pretty damn expensive. |
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wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY
·Verizon FIOS
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·RoadRunner Cable
·BroadVoice
| You raise a good point. My issue with buying a subsidized phone is that the newest, "coolest" ones are always a few hundred dollars. Look at it another way. A $200, subsidized phone requires (for arguments sake) a $80 per month plan for the next 2 years. On top of that, if you decide you want to change providers or (gasp!) get a new phone they hit you with a $200 ETL fee or make you extend your contract another two years! The alternative is purchasing that same phone (unlocked) for $400. This works especially well if you are out of contract with your provider, as then YOU call the shots. If you are unhappy with your service, you simply call and tell them "I am out of contract so I am switching to provider X". The retention reps will then scramble to do anything to keep you, including giving you a better plan while letting you stay month to month. Assuming you can get over the initial sticker shock of an unlocked phone, its hard to argue the benefits of a subsidized handset.
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If history teaches us anything, it teaches that simple-minded appeasement or wishful thinking about our adversaries is folly.
-Ronald Reagan-
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK | reply to wifi4milez
Well, if we had open phones, you could buy all kinds of gee-whiz and wow phones from Asia and China, and no, they wouldn't be that expensive.
Not to mention you could use old phones as cheap backups, lenders, etc etc |
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wifi4milez
Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY
·Verizon FIOS
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·RoadRunner Cable
·BroadVoice
| said by KrK :Well, if we had open phones, you could buy all kinds of gee-whiz and wow phones from Asia and China, and no, they wouldn't be that expensive. I dont think the two are related. Almost all phones in Europe and Asia are unlocked, yet the prices have been $400 to $1000 for years. People have the misconception that consumers in the US dont have options for open (unlocked) phones, and thats just not true. There are myriad online and "brick and mortar" stores that sell them, all you need to do is ask. While people on CDMA networks are certainly more limited, you can still purchase phones without contracts to give yourself leverage with the provider.
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If history teaches us anything, it teaches that simple-minded appeasement or wishful thinking about our adversaries is folly.
-Ronald Reagan-
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