Goodbye To Freebies, Hello To Freedom
Interesting article from Businessweek Online:
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But the era of the freebie phone may be coming to an end. In late November the U.S. copyright office ruled that it is not illegal for consumers to "unlock" cell phones they purchase from a particular carrier. The three-year exemption from potential wireless industry lawsuits strengthens the hand of Nokia and other manufacturers, which have begun quietly opening flagship stores in New York, Chicago, and elsewhere to sell phones like Davis' N70. Such moves risk alienating the wireless outfits, but cell-phone makers see the market shifting. Fewer than 5% of the 163 million handsets sold in the U.S. this year were unlocked versions. But analysts believe that could jump sharply in 2007...
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LordObento said:
They could always ship it to India
You mean the support or the phone? I think they can ship anything to India right now. It seems to be a trend.
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LordObento said:I agree. Everything electronic is going to Indian support now. Sad part about it is that they usually give better service, once you get over the language issues.
the support. Be sure to pick up an English to Broken English dictionary.
The other night I was on the phone with Gateway 3 times trying to resolve an issue, and the techs all said to reformat the hard drive. Finally, I called in late and got an Indian and the problem was resolved in less than 10 minutes. It was 4am his time.
Dell, Linksys, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, are just a few I have experience with. It is really ashame, but those people seem so much more diligent, and seem to study more.
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The problem I see for the consumer is that they'll get tossed into the blame game.
Wireless Carrier: "The phone you purchased needs to be replaced if you are having issues with dropped calls and signal."
Phone Manufacturer: "The network you are using probably has a dead spot because there is nothing wrong with the phone."
Wireless Carrier: "The phone you purchased needs to be replaced if you are having issues with dropped calls and signal."
Phone Manufacturer: "The network you are using probably has a dead spot because there is nothing wrong with the phone."
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mycool said:
The problem I see for the consumer is that they'll get tossed into the blame game.
Wireless Carrier: "The phone you purchased needs to be replaced if you are having issues with dropped calls and signal."
Phone Manufacturer: "The network you are using probably has a dead spot because there is nothing wrong with the phone."
Yes, that was the problem with computers in the early days - the hardware/ software vendors would blame the ISP and visa-versa.
The blame game isn't new, and I suspect it will continue as the high-tech handsets get more like computers, and Verizon will try to steer those issues to the OEM anyway, which is where they belong.
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Ah, freedom!
No more FRU units; No more hearing a customer say they didn't get their phone wet when it's dripping water onto my counter; No more "My battery isn't holding a charge. I think you should gimme a new phone."! FREEDOM!
No more FRU units; No more hearing a customer say they didn't get their phone wet when it's dripping water onto my counter; No more "My battery isn't holding a charge. I think you should gimme a new phone."! FREEDOM!
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mycool said:
No more FRU units; No more hearing a customer say they didn't get their phone wet when it's dripping water onto my counter; No more "My battery isn't holding a charge. I think you should gimme a new phone."! FREEDOM!
Of course, my V3c just became a battery hog on the one year anniversary. What's coming uut next? The debate means nothing to the fact that I now need a new phone.
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Doesn't matter for Verizon or Sprint, as technically, ALL CDMA phones are unlocked.
It's just, Verizon and Sprint don't allow new phones in, only ones that they sell.
So, this only means anything for world phones and GSM customers.
It's just, Verizon and Sprint don't allow new phones in, only ones that they sell.
So, this only means anything for world phones and GSM customers.
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Living Ghost said:
Doesn't matter for Verizon or Sprint, as technically, ALL CDMA phones are unlocked.
It's just, Verizon and Sprint don't allow new phones in, only ones that they sell.
So, this only means anything for world phones and GSM customers.
I agree, the ruling means nothing for CDMA. Merry Christmas.
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