| once again US proves how backward it is with Cell service Having moved to the US from the UK in 2001, I have been STAGGERED by how backward the country is with its cell service, and how people simply cannot get options they want such as prepay with a decent "Ill pay up front" plan. I was hoping things were changing when I started with tmobiles pay and go (after $100 dollars spent, the service allows you to top up only once a year, gives a discount on calls, and rolls over) STILL customers in the US are faced with having to pay for incoming calls (doesnt happen in the UK, incoming is free......on any plan, anywhere), which they bizarely happily accept (very strange indeed), and the option to pay up front for data services seems to have taken a step.........backwards. In fact only alltell actually offer any type of decent voice and data plan...but get this..a $35 activation fee???.......er......to press a button? If you buy a prepay in the uk, you dont have to call anyone, there is no added tax on the card (taxes for phone services in the US are mind boggling to say the least), and you dont have to call anyone.....you just enter the prepay code on the card, and thats it (watch the bourne identity, youll see what I mean) WHICH also means, no crappy spam calls etc.
So in the midst of pretty much, a recession, what do companies do in the US......decide for us that if we want data plans....we HAVE to pay for them month to month in a contract, (even alltells prepaid really isnt prepaid, as you have to pay $4 for every unused month, its pretty much asking you to pay.........for nothing) ok $4 isnt a lot....but it is when youre not using the damn thing, like at all
More companies are going to go the same way as the banks.who ask for $30 if they have to send out reminders....then send out countless amounts of junk in the mail (basically, they say it costs them to print reminders....but then print a load of junk) and STILL charge for ATM service???? and CHECKS?? (this is 2008, not 1988). Cellphone service is the same, its asking for money for nothing, or FORCING customers into contracts because they cant find the service any other way.
I have an unlocked blackberry, and if it wasnt for the fact I get free wifi at home via my router (and can still use the prepaid t mobile to go for calls), It would be getting sold on ebay, no question. |
