Government Changes Laws Regarding Locked Devices
Way to go, US Copyright Office!
Finally doing something for the benefit of consumer and not big business. Nice to see!
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How do you figure it is better for the consumer? So I end my contract with AT&T with my smartphone, get it unlocked and take it to T-Mobile. I have an old smartphone with an old battery and T-Mobile is dancing in the streets because they did not have to buy me a phone. Not only that but they won't let me upgrade for 22 months. I am now 46 months with the same phone before I can get any price break on a phone.
If I am not savvy I sign up for Even More Plus and will never get a low cost phone unless I go back to AT&T.
It ain't broke so we don't need Uncle Trotsky to fix it.
If I am not savvy I sign up for Even More Plus and will never get a low cost phone unless I go back to AT&T.
It ain't broke so we don't need Uncle Trotsky to fix it.
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We are confusing the carriers role vs the manufacturers roll. This revision was aimed at makers and in particular Apple. I applaud this revision because it is a scam that apple is pulling off on consumers... using great marketing, they have suckered consumers into (quote) buying these phones. However, these consumers don't really own these phones because they can't do what they want with them. In fact these devices are designed to generate endless income for apple through the forced use of the apple itunes store.
The issue of carrier controlled phones is altogether different. They have clearly come up with some unwritten rules on how to control the market so that small or upstarts will never have a chance to offer a competitive prod...
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The issue of carrier controlled phones is altogether different. They have clearly come up with some unwritten rules on how to control the market so that small or upstarts will never have a chance to offer a competitive prod...
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I've been in this business a long time and it is true that the cost of the handset is figured into the monthly price plan. That is why Cricket encourages people to get a used phone and let them flash it for a nominal fee.
The only problem is that many phones PRL's are hard to flash completely and the phone reverts back to the original carrier costing the customer money and frustration.
Rates would go down if the carrier did not buy down the phone. If the customer paid full price for the phone sales volumes would slow and handsets would either become much more expensive or cheaply made.
Rates would go down if the carriers stopped advertising, stopped network buildout, closed their stores, closed customer care centers, and every phone ...
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The only problem is that many phones PRL's are hard to flash completely and the phone reverts back to the original carrier costing the customer money and frustration.
Rates would go down if the carrier did not buy down the phone. If the customer paid full price for the phone sales volumes would slow and handsets would either become much more expensive or cheaply made.
Rates would go down if the carriers stopped advertising, stopped network buildout, closed their stores, closed customer care centers, and every phone ...
(continues)
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news flash: subsidized phones are cheaply made and they're expensive. Furthermore, if you've every had the chance to buy a new unlocked phone, you would see that the quality is superior to a comparable locked device.
Another news flash: customer care centers are a waste. The staff has no technical training, service is slow, they don't carry a full selection of devices or accessories, they charge a premium for items in the store that is above and beyond what carriers sell the same items online.
Finally, the system we have does not work "well." The system is that all the carriers are about the same, and they all provide cheaply made phones with features disabled and in exchange you get locked into a long term contract that benefits ...
(continues)
Another news flash: customer care centers are a waste. The staff has no technical training, service is slow, they don't carry a full selection of devices or accessories, they charge a premium for items in the store that is above and beyond what carriers sell the same items online.
Finally, the system we have does not work "well." The system is that all the carriers are about the same, and they all provide cheaply made phones with features disabled and in exchange you get locked into a long term contract that benefits ...
(continues)
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This forum is closed.
