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Now that carrier frequencies are more standardized, like the "desktop" Internet it'd be better if we bought handsets from a free market, which would lead to more competition, better prices, and no contortions around "contracts." | Now that carrier frequencies are more standardized, like the "desktop" Internet it'd be better if we bought handsets from a free market, which would lead to more competition, better prices, and no contortions around "contracts." | ||
'''But if you want to buy your own handset on the free market, you're paying nearly twice as much.''' | |||
Carriers like Rogers embed a 'subsidy fee' for handsets (phones) which is a substantial part of every bill (about 20% of a smartphone bill), if you want to get your own handset you're paying nearly double. In the future a smartphone will be many people's only computer, so choice, competition, and free will from the carrier's decisions are all very important, yet today buying a handset is very different from buying a computer. | Carriers like Rogers embed a 'subsidy fee' for handsets (phones) which is a substantial part of every bill (about 20% of a smartphone bill), if you want to get your own handset you're paying nearly double. In the future a smartphone will be many people's only computer, so choice, competition, and free will from the carrier's decisions are all very important, yet today buying a handset is very different from buying a computer. | ||
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== Interested? == | == Interested? == | ||
Feel free to add your name and comments by clicking edit. | Feel free to add your name and comments by clicking edit in this section (you'll have to answer a simple math captcha). | ||
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[http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/15/iphone-4-is-unlocked-in-canada-too/comments/28670093/ Engadget comments from around the world]. | |||
AI wrote: | |||
i remember when i was in spain 10 years ago, you could buy a cell phone for $17 from a vending machine and then just buy a pay-as-you-go card as needed. we are so far behind compared to europe in terms of phone infrastructure. | |||
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JM wrote: | |||
here in pakistan, i can get a SIM for $3. cheapest nokia is about $15. an ISDN BRI costs about $8/month. | |||
as i recall, the prices were quite similar in kenya. | |||
i recall being in canada last year, and heading to the mall to get a rogers SIM. they offered me a subsidized handset on contract, and i said no, i wanted an unlocked phone that i could take back to Dubai with me. | |||
the guy looked shocked, and then whispered to me that they don't sell unlocked phones but he knew someone who did. | |||
like i was trying to buy drugs or something. | |||
it was quite hilarious. | |||
== Why bother trying to get Rogers to adjust their policies? == | == Why bother trying to get Rogers to adjust their policies? == | ||
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{{#widget:DISQUS|id=zooidwiki}} | |||
[[Category:Advocacy]] | [[Category:Advocacy]] | ||
[[Category:Android]] | [[Category:Android]] | ||