TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Re: Is the iPhone an AT&T Time Bomb Against Cell Users?

Re: Is the iPhone an AT&T Time Bomb Against Cell Users?

Sam Spade (sam@coldmail.com)
Sat, 30 Jun 2007 06:24:04 -0700

> If consumers instead say "yes" and buy the iPhone with the two-year
> contract, then it will only be a matter of time before all handset
> subsidies disappear and all cell phone users have to pay both the
> full cost of their handsets and still be locked into multiple-year
> contacts. Those who purchase iPhones under the current arrangement
> may very well be sealing that fate for all cell phone users.

> Read more ... http://www.telmetech.com/2007/06/iphone-or-icarrot.html

Somehow, I don't think that will work. If future cellular units are
sold at full price, there will be all kinds of retailers jumping in to
cut the price. The word will get around to tell the greedy wireless
companies, "Sign me up month to month and sell me the Motorola Jacko
899 for $249.99 or I will take my business elsewhere."

Paying market price for the unit will also cause consumers to hold
onto them longer, thus upsetting the entire manufacturer/wireless
enterprise sweetheart deal.

Also, those whose contracts have already expired (I am one of those)
are in a much, much stronger position to never sign a contract again
if the units are sold at market price.

Post Followup Article Use your browser's quoting feature to quote article into reply
Go to Next message: Danny Burstein: "Remembering The Chicago Aurora & Elgin Railway: July 3, 1957"
Go to Previous message: Danny Burstein: "Not so Fast, was Re: Sunday Begins New Era For Cable Subscribers"
May be in reply to: C. Benz: "Is the iPhone an AT&T Time Bomb Against Cell Users?"
Next in thread: Steven Lichter: "Re: Is the iPhone an AT&T Time Bomb Against Cell Users?"
TELECOM Digest: Home Page