 ThalerPremium
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA
kudos:3 | Am I the only one OK with this? After reading on DSLR on the umpteen customers who roam the world, racking up the roaming data charges, and then plead ignorance when the bill comes, am I not the only one surprised by this move? Sure, it gets the wireless carriers a pretty penny, but on the other hand, how much of it is them to avoid the mass outcry when those that opt-out of data plan perform the inevitable "OOPS!"?
I can guarantee you, that if wireless carriers were to allow their data-intensive phones (iPhone, Pre, etc.) to run these phones without data plans, many people who shouldn't be opting out would...and then raise high holy hell when their bills skyrocket up another few hundred when they "accidentally" leave on the data services? I can guarantee you, even after only working a few years as tech support, there would be an even larger influx of people paying outrageous overcharges than there is today. |
ThalerPremium
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA
kudos:3 | Can, and do are two different things. People will get data-hungry smartphones, say they won't ever use the data, and then forget to lock-out the feature on the phone - or just use it because (insert wireless provider here) allowed the user to shoot themselves in the foot.
I mean, what about those data transit overages when data card users take their devices overseas, download "just a few emails", and then are surprized by a few thousand dollar bill because they left the card in the computer, passively downloading service patches (or torrents to be downloaded in queue, or whatever). From what I've seen of the average American wireless user, I highly doubt that most wireless customers can self-regulate their devices enough to not use something as prevalent as a data feature on a smartphone. (No bash intended to anyone in particular, I've just seen way too many people with insane overages because they paid the minimal service fee, yet talk/download on their devices like beasts)
In short, yes, it makes money for the wireless provider, but it also prevents the media hysteria involved when some idiot doesn't know their plan coverage and gets socked for a super-high bill. |
