Nokiausa advocates unlock phones
 

http://www.nokiausa.com/find-product...unlocked201008

I was going to check out the N8 and saw this link, which is nice. Makes nokiausa a little more relevant.

For those who don't know, almost noone buys an unlocked phone here in the USA, 'they are too expensive'.

Re: Nokiausa advocates unlock phones
 

Does anyone else have the problem, that the first paragraph ends with "Some featured products include: " and nothing after... like there was supposed to be a list of phones.

Re: Nokiausa advocates unlock phones
 

yes, same thing here. someone should write to them :P

Re: Nokiausa advocates unlock phones
 

But it's really more expensive. I have to ask... whilst in the US, how many times do you change your GSM carrier?

In one way or another, I've been with AT&T since '95. Can't say that I'm happy, I've used Suncom - which was bought by T-Mobile - but in the area I'm currently, there's no real good coverage for data.

And an unlocked phone doesn't grant you cheaper data, voice or bundle prices for the most part. You still have to pay for all of that crap.

Re: Nokiausa advocates unlock phones
 

Not necessarily so, if I had an Android device, no matter the carrier, I would certainly be paying more than I do now (for both voice and data), and there's no option with most carriers to get just voice service with any subsidized smartphone.

Choice is good for consumers, bad for companies.

Re: Nokiausa advocates unlock phones
 

Never actually, but I have ventured outside the country and enjoyed my phone not being locked to my carrier. What I'd rather see is carriers start offering cheaper plans for people who don't go for the subsidized phones, but it's too easy for them to just bone everyone.

Seriously, I could get a smartphone now and pay the same monthly. This is only viable because the carriers run unchecked.

Well it depends, if I buy via the carrier I -must- get the more expensive plans. I haven't upgraded my AT&T service since getting my N900 (no way am I paying $30/mo for 2.5G.)

Overall it's only more expensive to buy unlocked because the carriers screw you six ways to Sunday. If you do buy unlocked, you have to really want to and frankly, I'd rather do it if it means the carrier isn't dictating how my device works.

Re: Nokiausa advocates unlock phones
 

My unlocked N9pp plus a month-to-month plan on T-mobile usa was a little less than the total cost of a similarly priced phone with the discount and contract plan over two years. And I am beholden to nobody.

Of course my N900 only works on T-Mobile 3G. I used it for a week or so on AT&T when I got it, but with GSM only. So I am not stuck with T-Mobile, but I can't realistically use my phone elsewhere. In spite of that, I say let freedom ring. Own your phone.

Re: Nokiausa advocates unlock phones
 

not true i think ive got a good deal,

the basic t-mobile even more plus for 29.99 a month. plus 9.99 internet, so about 40+taxes a month.

Re: Nokiausa advocates unlock phones
 

When calculating the price increase, make sure you're comparing apple to apple.

It doesn't make much sense to compare a plan that includes thousands of free minutes, text and data plan with some sort of basic prepaid plan with more expensive airtime and whatnot; and attribute the price increase to the supposed phone price.

Re: Nokiausa advocates unlock phones
 

Yup, I'm going to be switching to this soon. sooo nice. Could we do this with a 'locked' phone we bought from t-mobile? Im pretty sure not.

Re: Nokiausa advocates unlock phones
 

I prefer unlocked phones any day of the year compared to being locked down for two years. Since I use ATT Prepaid $60.00 Unlimited Tlk and TXT. I dont care about the data plan if I need to get online that is what WiFi is for.

I did a cost comparision with someone and it ended up that I saved a few hundred dollars each year based on a two years a few hundred dollars might not seem that much but in todays economy it is lol

Re: Nokiausa advocates unlock phones
 

How many times do you change grocery stores? What if you had to pay $500 to use a new grocery store?

There are reasons people don't switch carriers. They are suckered into saving $20 on something and don't realize it extends the contract they agreed to, for example. The industry tries to keep its customers chained down to the same carrier, and they usually succeed. Just because most slaves never escaped was no reason to keep slavery.

Re: Nokiausa advocates unlock phones
 

If I remember correctly, most of the 'bundles' offered with contracts still work out cheaper than if you buy the phone yourself on credit and get the same plans/services on said carrier.

The real questions being: Do you need all the 'free' minutes and text/data quotas in that bundle?

Don't forget that there are also (unadvertised) clauses in the contract where you can get out of the contract for less money after some short period of service (usually 2-6 months?) and acquire the unlock key for your phone (sometimes for free, sometimes for a low fee of $10 or so); where you can come out ahead with this.

@kaitech: Try out 3G/4G. I think you'll be quite amazed at what 'being connected everywhere' feels like :)