Verizon Backs Off Handset Exclusivity -- A Little > The consumer can't afford cell phones

reply to insomniac84

Re: The consumer can't afford cell phones

Ok first off, you're grossly overestimating the price of high quality phones in the EU.

The technology in cell phones in the EU and Asia are a generation ahead of the US. As in, they already have camera phones capable of recording HD video at 720p, and capable of taking 12 MP pictures. *Those* are the high-end phones that cost several hundred dollars, but not so high as $800. The "retail" price of cell phones in America are grossly overstated. This is one of the reasons the iPhone hasn't sold particularly well in Japan.

Secondly, nothing stops EU carriers from offering contracts, at least as long as it doesn't go beyond a year. What consumer groups want is to ban *exclusivity* of phones.

Thirdly, the monthly cost of voice and data plans in the EU and Asia are *vastly* cheaper than in America. As in South Korea, basic plans start at $10/month, and voice + data plans for the entire *family* max out at $60/month. In fact, while we're on the topic of overpriced telephony, a super-fast internet connection + TV + phone service all costs a typical home $30-$40/month.

Finally, blaming consumers for spending money that "they can't afford" is the most idiotic criticism a person can make. Who are you to say they can or can't afford it? And how do you know they don't really need the wireless lines, and are simply overspending on a luxury? If they had a choice they'd obviously go for cheaper competition. Too bad *there is none*!

reply to sonicmerlin
You are wrong. As cell phone contracts are on average 18months long overseas.

reply to fAcEtIOUs
Both of you are wrong.

First of all:
»www.t-mobile.de/iphone/
16GB 3GS for as low as 1 euro on contract.

Second, while their up-front pricing is technically cheaper, they nickel and dime you, and have a very complicated rate system
»www.t-mobile.de/iphone/tarife

They charge you different rates if you're calling within TMO's network, calling other mobile users, or calling landlines. Same goes for MMS/SMS charges. Those rates are all higher than what we charge in the USA. Their data caps are equal to or lower than our own (10GB and on down), and are frequently tied to your monthly rate (the less you pay for minutes, the less data you get too).

No such thing as MyFaves. No Friends and Family. No Rollover Minutes. No Unlimited Everything (at least not for as cheap as we have it).

Their consumers have 2 major advantages:
Since everyone there uses GSM on 2 frequencies, all phones sold in europe are compatible on all other euro networks. The only barrier is a simple SIM lock.
They typically have better competition and connectivity due to the smaller sized networks needing to compete on price rather than coverage.
--
"What makes us omniscient? Have we a record of omniscience? ...If we can't persuade nations with comparable values of the merit of our cause, we'd better reexamine our reasoning."
-United States Secretary of Defense (1961-1968) Robert S. McNamara

reply to fAcEtIOUs