Why do we put up with Cellular Phone Companies?

[NickD 202]

First off is the phone, perhaps I am old fashion, but just want a phone to call people. I don't want text messaging, ringtones, wallpaper, MP3, a cheap #### camera, games, a calculator, an alarm clock, or the internet. Just a bunch of ####### all these guys added, just want to call. Really don't want a colored LCD either, just want to see the numbers. A simple robust phone that can withstand a drop of water without frying up, with a good LNA for decent reception, that's a low noise amplifier, essentially one good transistor. Such a phone doesn't even exist and one with a three page manual, some of these phones come with a 200 page manual.

To further complicate matters, they use the term locked or unlocked phones, like there is a key to open it. Far more accurate term would be a dedicated phone to a specific cellular phone company. Any phone you get is dedicated with an embedded firmware chip and is only good for that particular phone company. In Europe and other countries, use a SIM chip that is easily changed. A far cheaper approach would be able to change the firmware with a computer link.

Then there is pricing of these phones, I am a very experienced engineer accustomed to quoting jobs, in viewing the interior components of these cheap plastic devices, eight bucks would be the absolute maximum production cost, it's all trash on the inside. But yet you see price tags of over 300 bucks. Practically all will give you a rebate and a special price if you sign a two year contract, and will sell you insurance for 50 bucks to replace this eight buck phone. But want an extra 150 bucks per phone if you decide to switch carriers. And this is after they already screwed you blue for the price of that piece of #######.

Then they have minute plans where we all tend to go overboard, if you exceed your limit, can get billed 70 cents per minute, but no refund if you only use one out of your 1,500 minutes. Also have to watch out for roaming charges, it's all one way in favor of the cellular phone company. And why is text messaging so expensive? Takes forever to type in a message if you don't get hit by a car first in doing so, only a fraction of a second to send it.

Then there are taxes, oh, are there taxes, have to add another 25% to their quoted prices for taxes. If that isn't enough, accessories like a belt clip or a car charger, they rob you on these. Batteries are essentially all the same, but change those with each phone as well as the configuration of the connector is essentially the same of all phones. Force you to buy new ones with each phone.

For land lines, have to bury a cable between your home and the exchange, for cellular, just put up a 3" antenna someplace that can cover a 10 square mile area, but yet cellular phone rates are drastically greater than land line phones. Plus you need the skills of an attorney to read the fine print in the contract.

Really, a major ripoff that we all put up with, have no choice, a limiting factor I have is coverage since I live over the hill from most of the cellular phone transmitting antennas.

So why do we put up with this, we are all suckers.

[amberdima 6]

we are suckers. my cell doesn't even work in my house- and i don't have a landline. so don't call me when it's cold or rainy cos i'm not going outside to talk.

[SpiritAlight 1]

There are a lot of sucky things about cellphone companies, granted.

My brother (in Cannuckland) is no longer wanting to keep paying exorbitant fees and so has asked to stop service, he is now paying $20/mth for one more year (the "life" of the contract)

BUGGERS!

Some positive:

– in the U.S. you get national calling for FREE

unheard of in Canada where you only get local calling and you'd better by a calling card for long distance even across your own province.

– i am liking my iPhone. The traffic reports alone are worth the price.

I love taking photos with it and emailing them out directly...no extra fees. Free to email. The photos are quite good (resolution) too.

– Txting is great when you are in a place where you choose to be quiet...i.e. on the bus.

There's tons more, and i have to go and make coffee now.