Thread: Nokia - Microsoft partnership (merged threads)
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gerbick
2011-01-31 , 22:45
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#150
Originally Posted by vkv.raju View Post
I am from India. Here it is not like we are only using GSM. We have CDMA (may be 1/3rd, I am not sure) too. But it costs an absolute "0" for anyone to change carriers. The concept of people getting locked to a carrier is infact an unheard thing to majority of the people here. Because of this (NO carrier lock), the pricing is always competitive. Indian Govt has done its fair part by subsidizing telecom license prices here and as a result, the benefit is directly being passed to the end consumer. The mobile revolution in India is a case study in itself. US can take a look at it if it wants.
The revolution in India, or most any Asian country is something to behold. However - and this is being brutally honest - the average American is downright clueless about any other region in terms of what sells/does not sell there. The whole world has passed the US by in terms of how our carriers treat their customers.

It doesn't cost anything to switch carriers only if you're not under contract - I know, dirty word - but for most folks, they are under contract. I'm currently under contract; but will pay/take the ETF (early termination fee) only if I have to. But at the same time, I'm in an area where T-Mobile does not cover me at all really.

I am afraid I am not painting anything. It is a fact. US is a businessman's playground. It brings both good and bad. If you accept the good, then you have ideally voted to accept the bad also.
I've traveled and lived overseas... every country is a businessman's playground.

Why should everyone in the US pay extra charges to the carrier?
It's not that we pay extra charges. It's that it is more expensive here. More space, more towers... well, that's their excuse. I don't agree.

We're getting fleeced. But until the masses revolt or something truly changes the monopolies here, it'll remain as such.

Is it not the Govt's responsibility to subsidize these things if it is being used by so many people and if it can make things better for so many people and if it gets easy on so many peoples pockets? Don't they spend money on NASA and those moon missions? Oh and those nuclear weapons?
No, it's not the government's responsibility to subsidize something as frivolous as cellphones. The FCC, a government agency, regulates the airwaves, limits the monopolies somewhat (and fails).

NASA, nuclear weapons and the Moon missions do not equate to the stuff you're talking about. In fact, NASA is funded by the government as an endeavor, not as a true agency.

I wish good luck for you. But I doubt the path will be so easy & clear. There will be some catch somewhere. But again, I honestly wish good luck for the people in US. You have been enough cheated already. (I am not being satiric here).
More than luck is needed. But at the same time, more understanding from people in other countries is needed. The poor attempts of apples to apples comparisons with other country systems is... quite inaccurate.

The question here is, is the fix needed? If yes, then why would you worry about the cost? US spends so much money for so many other useless things and I am very very sure it has enough money (read: debt) to spend for this also.
In the US, since the majority of the network deployments are overseen by private companies (ie. AT&T) that have to purchase the rights to broadcast on certain frequencies from the FCC and those costs invariably are passed along to us.

If you're looking for an analogous situation to compare that to; you will have to go back to the 1980's to mid-90's Central American telcos. Seriously... the system is that dated and backwards.

Disclaimer: My intent is only for a healthy debate. If you feel my statements hurt your love towards your country, then please accept my apologizes. I will not comment on this topic any further.
Pfft. Nothing of the sort. I'm just raising awareness at the same time as discussing openly the pros and cons of a market that clearly is as archaic as it is easy to misunderstand.

If anything, the problems it present are what Nokia has to wrap their head around.
 

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