 | | A Universal Cell Phone? It works in Europe, why not here? Oh, I forgot, corporate greed. | |
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 | | | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? don't forget gutless and/or corrupt regulators and legislators | |
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| | | | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? why doesn't skype build its own network and open it up and teach the "big meanie" companies a lesson
oh yea I know why because they know they would lose their ass
the internet has turned into a world of people wanting everything for nothing
huge bandwith for pennies a month.....open access on networks built with others money
free music
free software
the list is endless.....but fools will soon find when no one makes money on anything then there will probably be little if anything offered
look at the two that posted above....im sure they are all for gov. regulations and open access....right up until it cost THEM some of THEIR money
if you don't like the restrictions on a network don't use it.....go somewhere else....if no one else (shockingly) offers you the world for nothing then do with out....stop crying to the government to step in....or better yet start your own network then AOL, and Skype, and Earthlink and everyone else can come ride it for free.....come on what is stopping you....it is a GREAT idea right....it would be really COOL right.....come on step up and build it and give it away....or are you too scared | |
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| | |  en102Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? Skype requires little bandwidth.
'We' the consumer pay $$$ for connectivity and access to what's on the web.
Why should we have to pay for a 'private' web?
Spammers probably use 1000x more bandwidth than Skype does.
I suspect those downloading p0rn or other media off the web also use MUCH more bandwidth. | |
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| | | | Reviews:
 ·WildBlue
| Re: A Universal Cell Phone? said by en102:Skype requires little bandwidth. 'We' the consumer pay $$$ for connectivity and access to what's on the web. Why should we have to pay for a 'private' web? Spammers probably use 1000x more bandwidth than Skype does. I suspect those downloading p0rn or other media off the web also use MUCH more bandwidth. The bandwidth is not the issue. The issue is everyone not using their minutes and just using skype to make their phone calls. Therefore the phone company's will make significantly less money. This would probably put them out of business. I am all for open access on a landline. But with wireless they simply can not afford people to use Skype and not their phone service and still turn a profit.
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Wildblue Pro Pack / Beam 40 / Laredo NOC / Windows MCE SP2 | |
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| | | | | RadioDoc58ef2c0Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11 | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? You pay for minutes whether you use them or not. How could this cost the wireless phone companies money? It's not like you get a refund if you don't use your phone.
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Toolmaster of La Grange. | |
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| | | | | | | | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? Your not getting it here. What is to stop people from downgrading their minutes to the lowest plan and just using Skype?
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Wildblue Pro Pack / Beam 40 / Laredo NOC / Windows MCE SP2 | |
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| | | | | | | RadioDoc58ef2c0Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11 | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? You still need a data plan and they are even more expensive than most voice plans, that's what.
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Toolmaster of La Grange. | |
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| | | | | | | | en102Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? Wireless carriers want to have their cake and eat it too.
I suspect they should refrain from using the terms 'unlimited', 'broadband' and 'internet' in the same phrase to define their service. Items such as 'Vcast', 'MediaNet', 'Power Vision' are all portal type of services such as old filtered/controlled AOL. Using a data card or tethered service should be unrestricted as a normal ISP (or at least mine) is.
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Canada = Hollywood North | |
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| | | | | | I bought a Corvette, but I wanted a Hemi in it
I think GM should allow me to have them put any engine I want in the cars they build.....after all Im buying the car I should get what I want.....waaaa waaaa
I want Exxon to carry Shell gas....it is all gas from a pump right....why should "WE" the consumer have to have only one choice of gas at a station..."WE" already pay for the pumps and the stations and stuffs 
I think NBC should show a few of the shows I like on Fox on the CBS channel.....after all "WE" already paid for the stations and the TV....I WANT I WANT I WANT......waaa waaa
oh wait there is one thing I don't want.....to pay for any of it
if you are not happy with the restrictions on what you are offered, don't take the offer, move on (no really move on not pretend moveon like the organization of fools)
why should you have to pay for something YOU want....because the rest of us don't want to pay for it
it is like the fools in the bandwith/caps threads.....I want an OS3/DS3 for 22.12 a month and I want to suck all the bandwith from it while my neighbors crawl...and I want a guaranteed TOS in there and a 10 minute truck roll time and ONE MILLION dollars if it goes down
oh wait you want me to pay 700 a month for that.....waaaa waaaa....I want to free load on everyone else......waaaaaa.....waaaaaaa | |
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| | | | | amungusPremium
join:2004-11-26
America Reviews:
 ·AT&T DSL Service
| Re: A Universal Cell Phone? "why doesn't skype build its own network and open it up and teach the "big meanie" companies a lesson
oh yea I know why because they know they would lose their ass"
...I agree with your first point...
I've never seen a Skype tower anywhere...
While it may be unfortunate, it's the cellular company's towers we're talking about here right???
They agree to share w/other providers because they get PAID every time another user connects through it.
Ever hear of "roaming" charges??? ..That's because your cell company also has to pay whoever for the tower you were using.
Somehow I doubt the land, construction, equipment, maintenance, upkeep, personnel, AND access lines (some of which go back to where?? ..Ma Bell) are anywhere near cheap...
And who in their right mind would think Skype would still let you make an international call through this system for $.02???
Seriously, it'd be nice... someday... when data is much cheaper to move wirelessly. Right now, cell companies control their towers and what goes through them...
Sure, I can agree w/having more of a universal phone that I could take from one provider to the next - and some phones, you CAN still do this... but Skype wanting in on the fun is just not feasible right now.
Sure, having to go with the phones your company provides is kind of ludicrous, but this isn't the approach to fix the problem. Customer rights for handsets might be a better start - so that you could take a (say, CDMA) phone with you to another company if you really liked it and they don't have the same thing... | |
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| | | | | People, including myself, want what they paid for. They also would like some choices. On top of that they want to have mistakes corrected before next ice age. I can see that it might be very difficult concept for you... | |
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| | | | Reviews:
·WildBlue
| Re: A Universal Cell Phone? said by mcmillan:People, including myself, want what they paid for. They also would like some choices. On top of that they want to have mistakes corrected before next ice age. I can see that it might be very difficult concept for you... Towers...THEY COST MONEY...Is this concept to difficult for you??? What you paid for is cellular service. Not a wireless backbone for skype. If you can't see that this would put the cell company's out of business then you need to go study some more.
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Wildblue Pro Pack / Beam 40 / Laredo NOC / Windows MCE SP2 | |
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| | | | | | | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? Data plans... THEY COST MONEY!!...Is this concept to (too) difficult for you???
Believe me, cellular companies don't give away data for free. I found that out the wrong way when Verizon screwed up and switched me to the "unlimited data plan" but forgot to take off the "pay per kilobyte" code on my account. The result? Downloading a meager 40 MB resulted in a $600+ bill. Fortunately for Verizon, they recognized their mistake and are in the process of correcting it. What I find ridiculous though is how fast they can take your money yet when THEY screw up it can "take up to a few weeks" to come off your bill? What a joke. | |
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| | | | | | Reviews:
·WildBlue
| Re: A Universal Cell Phone? said by matrix3D:Data plans... THEY COST MONEY!!...Is this concept to (too) difficult for you??? Believe me, cellular companies don't give away data for free. I found that out the wrong way when Verizon screwed up and switched me to the "unlimited data plan" but forgot to take off the "pay per kilobyte" code on my account. The result? Downloading a meager 40 MB resulted in a $600+ bill. Fortunately for Verizon, they recognized their mistake and are in the process of correcting it. What I find ridiculous though is how fast they can take your money yet when THEY screw up it can "take up to a few weeks" to come off your bill? What a joke. You honestly think $15 a month for unlimited data is going to cover their cost. You people just aren't getting it. It is not about "getting what you paid for." This is about the fact that this could very well put the wireless providers under. "if you are saying that the cell companies are only charging as much as it costs to maintain their current network, you are fooling yourself." If you think a company is going to continue to operate while just being able to pay the bills and break even then you are fooling yourself.
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Wildblue Pro Pack / Beam 40 / Laredo NOC / Windows MCE SP2 | |
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| | | | | | | RadioDoc58ef2c0Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11 | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? Where are you getting an unlimited wireless data plan for $15 a month?
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Toolmaster of La Grange. | |
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| | | | | | | | Reviews:
·WildBlue
| Re: A Universal Cell Phone? said by RadioDoc:Where are you getting an unlimited wireless data plan for $15 a month? Sprint...Just a note here I am talking cell phone wireless not data card. | |
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| | | | | | | | | RadioDoc58ef2c0Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11 | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? $15 plus how much for the underlying voice plan? They have no $15 stand-alone unlimited data plan.
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Toolmaster of La Grange. | |
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1 edit | I pay an additional $40/month for unlimited data on my PDA/Pocket PC from Verizon. It's the same price as their cheapest voice plan. | |
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| | | |  ThrowDemsOutIf you can't convince 'em, confuse 'emPremium
join:2002-03-03
Mullica Hill, NJ
kudos:4 | said by mcmillan:People, including myself, want what they paid for. They also would like some choices. You mean like Verizon, AT&T(Cingular), T-Mobile, Sprint-Nextel, Alltel, U.S. Cellular, Amp'd Mobile. Oh, you just have no choices at all{/sarcasm}
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Internet News
My BLOG
My Web Page | |
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| | | | | And we used to only be allowed to have big clunky Western Electric telephones attached to our Ma Bell phone lines. It was called a monopoly and it was called restraint of trade and eventually it was called illegal. And there were probably folks back then that said anybody who wants to use their own telephone equipment should go out and build their own telephone network instead of freeloading off of Ma Bell... | |
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| | | | | | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? EXACTLY
and that monopoly had Gov. regulations on it....just like the first two posters are asking for
strangly when people DID go out and build their own networks then the competition heated up
there is no need for anyone to build anything new when they can free load off of others with Gov. regulation like is being ask in this thread
if you don't like the choices offered then do without or do it yourself....there is no law preventing you from doing so (unlike in the past when Ma Bell was the only REGULATED game in town)
so your example proves the point.....do without the regulation and allow the free market to compete....don't have the Gov. step and allow others to free load as is being ask in this thread....again you have a CHOICE....just because the CHOICES don't offer you free pie in the sky..pe does not mean the Gov. needs to step in and regulate...it means you need to choose with your dollars....and maybe get a grip on what the few shekels you are willing to pay for something will get you | |
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| | | | | | | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? Point taken about the monopoly. But the restraint of trade issue still exists... what else would you call needlessly limiting the devices that can be used with a public network? | |
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| | | | | | | | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? it is not a PUBLIC network
it is owned by a company not the public
and I call it being able to provide what you promised to ALL customers not just the few who want others to pay for their power use
as was clearly stated in the article cell towers are built to circuit switch not packet switch so allowing a lot of packet traffic slows the network for EVERYONE (I know that is not important to most on here)
why should I have to pay for upgraded towers ect. when all I want to do is turn my phone on and make a call on it and talk and hang up.....if someone else wants to use skype and plug in their laptops and everything else then they need to find a carrier and a plan and PAY for that PRIVILAGE.....not force the rest of us (that are content with what was offered for the price) to cost share for you
it is the same as someone asking why they can not use 100% of the bandwith available at the node for their residential cable connection while only paying about 10% of what the actual cost of providing that product is.....because eventually when all of your neighbors drop the service because they can't get on then you will be left to cover 100% of the cost of what you recieve....then you will use that last bit of bandwith (before your provider goes broke) to come here to dslreports and bitch that your provider went under because all of your idiot neighbors would not subsidize your hogging | |
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| | | | | | | | | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? Uh, yes it is a public network. Public airwaves, FCC regulated, limited resources, and all that. | |
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| | | | | | | | | | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? the spectrum is public and was bid out to the highest bidder
the network built to operate on that spectrum is private....there are multiple carriers on that spectrum as well....chose one...if you don't like what is offered go to the public auction bid on some spectrum and let skype come freeload off of the network you build to operate on that spectrum
you will only convince freeloaders and deadbeats that your point is valid with these WEAK arguements
as was pointed out you signed up for cellular service not a skype backbone
stop trying to have others subsidize your desires | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | Re: A Universal Cell Phone? For what its worth, I've never even used Skype, but the PUBLIC airwaves, most of which are auctioned, are subject to regulation, whether you like it or not. Regulations that in this case, I suspect, will eventually include allowing end users to operate any devices with any software ("crippled bluetooth" anyone?) they want, as long as it does not interfere with other users of the PUBLIC network. Same way as I can plug whatever telephone I want into the PUBLIC telephone network. What's the problem with me using a Skype (or any other) device on a PUBLIC network, as long as I pay whatever the standard rate per minute or per call or per MB is on that network? If it's a PRIVATE network, sure they can do what they want, but it's a PUBLIC network. I assume that is Skype's point with taking it to the FCC. | |
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| | | | | | | | |  batterupI Can Not Tell A Lie.Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ
·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: A Universal Cell Phone? said by Supervisor:For what its worth, I've never even used Skype, but the PUBLIC airwaves, most of which are auctioned, are subject to regulation, whether you like it or not. These regulations must be stated before bids are placed. I'll bet you don't know how much it costs to win a bid?
You people had a common carrier and didn't like it. Now you have what you wanted. When will they ever learn? The US fell from 1st to 17th because of leaches. Leaches don't contribute they suck the life.
Ma Bell is dead and yet the people bitch. | |
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| | | | | | | | |  FronkmanAn Apple a day keeps the doctor awayPremium
join:2003-06-23
Saint Louis, MO | this is a dumb argument. you are complaing that someone might actually use a service they are paying for and and you are upset by that? i dont recall verizons advertising "look at our new data plans, but use it carefully because there is only so much bandwidth to go around!"
just because you make one minute phone calls doesnt mean that everyone else should limit themselves. i also dont buy your crap about "the poor infrastructure, who will pay to build the network"
what does my bill go for now? if you are saying that the cell companies are only charging as much as it costs to maintain their current network, you are fooling yourself. just like every other company they need to reinvest in their company to let it grow.
or do you think united airlines should still fly dc-3s because passengers like you refuse to "subsidize" fancy jetplanes that you find to be excessive?
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Everyone should own a G4 cube or an iBook or the Mac mini! | |
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| | | | amungusPremium
join:2004-11-26
America Reviews:
·AT&T DSL Service
| Good point, but there's a big difference here.
A Cellular phone is not the same as a "Skype" phone. One uses straight up CDMA, AMPS, GSM, or whathaveyou. Skype is simply data packets, which they wish to push through the cellular network.
Guess what. Networks are NOT up to the task yet. Some are, but most aren't yet, especially in rural areas.
If Skype wants in on this, they should develop their own towers - maybe use WiMax or something.. Point is, be more cooperative about the solution instead of griping about it.
This isn't about "restraint" of anything, it's a matter of reality here. Would Skype be willing to make a full on CDMA/AMPS phone that operated solely within the limitations of current cellular technolgy??? Doubt it.
Much as I'd love to see this happen, I don't see it as technologically possible on a wide scale yet. Tech is too different still...
The "telephone network" is obviously still accessible to Skype... how else do you think they work? ..The accessible issue here is wireless technology and they're wanting a ride on something that's not designed for what they want to do with it. Sure, it maybe POSSIBLE in THEORY to do, but what about all the details??? Are they going to fund the research??? Are they going to go through all the "can you hear me now?" fun times??? Are they going to pay for access to the trunks at each tower like everyone else???
...It'd be pointless at this stage. | |
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| | | | batterupI Can Not Tell A Lie.Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ Reviews:
·Verizon Online DSL
| said by Supervisor:And we used to only be allowed to have big clunky Western Electric telephones attached to our Ma Bell phone lines. WHAT!!!
quote:
“It’s little, it’s lovely, it lights….”
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| | | | | batterupI Can Not Tell A Lie.Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ Reviews:
·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: A Universal Cell Phone? said by batterup:"It’s little, it’s lovely, it lights….” And made in the USA. | |
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| | | | | Hey you forgot most important one
Free Pr0n!!! - Gotta have that
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| | |  nixenRockin' the BoxenPremium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA | Dang... Well, at least I guess we know what Ed Whitacre's DSLR userid is. | |
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|  Michieru2zzz zzz zzzPremium
join:2005-01-28
Miami, FL | It's called a GSM phone and since you only need to swap the SIM to a provider of your choice its what makes it universal.
The same applies here you can buy a unlocked GSM phone at full price and use any GSM network available.
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The only limits we have are the one's we set ourselves. | |
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| | | Actually, I took the phone I bought in Amsterdam, plugged my T-Mobile SIM card into it and now use that phone instead of the free one that came with my account.
GSM operators like T-Mobile and ATTingular will accept any Quad Band GSM phone as long as you have the sim.
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CCNA, Comtrain Certified Tower Climber | |
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| | Will Skype pay to keep these towers up or will it just be passed along to the consumer | |
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| | Missed the Mark Want want want? Well you missed the mark.
If I recall correctly, ISPS freeload off one another. Earthlink leases Time Warner's Lines and is in direct competition. Guess what? Time Warner was charging 45 dollars a month and decided to increase to 55..... I was ticked. Earthlink decided to LOWER their prices. Guess what happened to Time Warners increase? They decided it was not in their best interest. Long story short, competition doesn't hurt anyone and usually is good for the consumer.
While I agree that if skype wants to use people's cell towers, they should foot some of the bill.. I am not against that at all. After all, competition keeps our country moving. If X offers a better deal than Y... Then go with X... Y is forced to make changes if they want to remain. Staying with a static plan that is outdated and doesn't work is a HUGE PROBLEM. Companies are very complacent about taking our money, but want to offer as little as possible. It is only through initiatives of the Big Guys pushing their might to make other Big Guys change, does progress happen. Unlike yester-year, people today do not have 100 million dollars to start up their own competition. Let's face it, that money goes towards the one's already in business to line their pockets.... Ah yes, lobbying at it's finest. Therefore, I feel Skype should be granted use of the Towers as long as they contribute their fair share of the cost. | |
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Michieru2zzz zzz zzzPremium
join:2005-01-28
Miami, FL | ! If Skype was smart they would simply make a java application that is able to run on cellphones which from there are allowed to use the data connection on your phone which in most cases is unlimited.
Of course you will have huge latency, and a nice gap between responses and the occasional dropped call due to a 1xRTT starving to receive the data as fast as it can.
Of course Skype knew this would not work and now want a free ride on the wireless carriers so they can provide their services. But they do not want to pay to lease the towers because then they would not be able to offer unlimited calling anymore.
Either Skype thinks the FCC are complete dumb asses or this is a complete joke. My phone which I bought from carrier is by far nor crippled and I have been able to use it for anything I want beside switch carriers because it's CDMA and not GSM. GSM also is the "universal phone" since you can swap SIMs from another provider on your current GSM phone.
You pay for a calling plan, if you want internet that's extra, if you want SMS, that's extra, if you want cheap international wireless rates that's extra.
What you get is what you pay, don't give me some idiotic excuse either that calling plan and internet are both together or should be the same because they by far are not.
The companies who are crippling their phones are Verizon from what I am aware of, as for Cingular I highly doubt it since it's GSM.
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The only limits we have are the one's we set ourselves. | |
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| | | Re: ! There has been rumors about other companies pushing for the Universal UI I'll build my own local wifi network and use vonage or some other voip... in my negiborhood if it gets that bad. | |
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 PolarBear03The bear formerly known as aaron8301Premium
join:2005-01-03 | I dont get it Somebody please explain to me how Skype relates to cellular? I thought you used skype on a PC? I'm lost... | |
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| | | Re: I dont get it You can use Skype on any PDA phone running windows mobile, not sure about Palm's. Just install the program, and fire up the data access, viola free calls anywhere skype works by using the wi-fi (if your phone has the ability).
Here is a list of threads pertaining to my particular phone, Samsung i730 in regards to Skype, YMMV.
»pdaphonehome.com/forums/search.p···d=800812 | |
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| | Skype If i understand this article correctly, skype wants to use the data signal from cell towers ( 3g etc) to power their cell phones free of charge... or so that's my understanding. | |
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| batterupI Can Not Tell A Lie.Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ Reviews:
·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Skype said by jc100:If i understand this article correctly, skype wants to use the data signal from cell towers ( 3g etc) to power their cell phones free of charge... or so that's my understanding. You understand perfectly. | |
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