Americans getting screwed by networks?

[GringoMonkee]

Hi all

Decided this was the best place to post this up, as Verizon (forgive my misunderstanding if wroong) looks to be one of the better homes for Android devices across the pond.

I say across the pond as I am, shall we say, not a 'merkin but a 'Brit' as you might call one.

Long story short... are you guys getting screwed on price plans for new phones? I subscribe to a few feeds, and the dollar prices seem shocking for new handsets. I mean, prices after a REBATE? What's that all about? We have lots of dodgy brokerages offering deals 'cheaper' than the official networks over here, by on the whole anyone with a thought avoids them as a) people can forget to mail-in b) T&C's can catch you out, etc etc etc... it just seems like sharp practice.

I paid a not-too-cheap

 

[Demache]

We get raped pretty hard over here. There are cheaper networks, but they don't always have the best coverage in all areas, if at all. Like AT&T misses our entire state and relies on roaming on regional carriers which have shoddy GSM coverage in the first place.

Granted, the handset prices aren't terrible. You do end up paying $200, for a nearly 500-600 dollar phone that's brand new. However, you do end up paying somewhere between 2-3K over a two year contract. Its pretty ridiculous.

 

[thrawn86]

yeah, we're getting robbed.

if (reasonable) per-minute/per-mb plans existed, I'd use them in a heartbeat.

 

[ekyle]

I'm curious to see where VZW is going to go with the tiered pricing for the data. While I do like unlimited I never exceed 2 GB per month. At least, not right now. If they could make it more affordable (i doubt they won't) it would be awesome and help feel a little better about what you're paying for.

 

[dmodert66]

I'm curious to see where VZW is going to go with the tiered pricing for the data. While I do like unlimited I never exceed 2 GB per month. At least, not right now. If they could make it more affordable (i doubt they won't) it would be awesome and help feel a little better about what you're paying for.

Same here. I would love to pay less since none of the THREE data plans I have on my account ever go over 2 gigs. But this all seems very backward to me. Right NOW, we are not using over 2 gigs. But what about when companies like Verizon Fios TV allow streaming on the phone (VZ is promising this for FIOS, and recently released an on demand app that will let you rent or buy on demand movies and watch on the phone, pc, or your FIOS TV Box (last one only if you are a FIOS customer).

As applications start requiring more and more data (streaming tv, etc) and phones get more and more powerful, I can see going through data much more quickly.

 

[3devious]

That is par for the course. People in the UK are paying less for internet, too. The reason it is so expensive here is none other than that people will pay for it.

 

[Fynx]

tier data plans are around the corner, but I don't see them as a benefit to anyone, just a hinderance as more apps allow greater usage of the data plans attached to our phones. If I could get 4G w/o a cap, I would probably do it and cancel my home access. This would only be a problem for my wife, which in turn is a problem for me. Right now I'm paying for the same internet access 3 times, home and 2 data plans on phones.

 

[ekyle]

I've said it before. I think this is just a phase the market will go through. Just like when AOL use to charge for minutes of the Internet. Eventually as the demand for the service grows and phones get more and more advanced they'll bring back the unlimited data plans.