This would be great news if verizon didn't stick you on a new contract with a ridiculous ETF when you get a new phone.
But that's the Carrier's glue! The manufacturer makes money on the equipment and the Carrier gets us on the plan. You want a new phone? Fine. Sign on for
2 additional years and you're good to go! Some carriers will even stick you (the loyal customer) with a ridiculous "upgrade price" to get the new phone, while any "Joe Blow" off the street can get that same phone for 1 cent or whatever the current special pricing may be {The bold at heart can usually cut a deal with Retention Departments - if they are a
valued customer}.
Before the phone police get their knickers in a knot, we all know about the "subsidized phones" schpiel. The buying public is fast becoming aware of all the ploys and gimmicks. Pricing is set by the market.
When people (the phone buying market) ceased to purchase $800 phones in droves, the industry responded with lower price points. {Google's Nexus One was a recent example. Although the N1 was and is a
fabulous phone: They set their price at $529 or $179 with Tmo. The public said "No Thanks" in droves}.
This is just like the PC market - When PC's were young they cost a grip ($2500 was common for a desktop setup). Now you can get that same setup for $600 (CPU, Monitor, Printer). Laptops were similar - $2500 or more. Now you can get a great laptop for $600-$800 or less. Enter the 1 Cent Cell Phone.
But wait. Virgin Mobile has entered the ring with an Unlimited Everything, No Contract plan for $60. MetroPCS is upping their ante with the promise of better phones on the way and offering $60 unlimited everything plans for Smartphones as well. Okay. Their phones sorta suck at present but, they have the right idea, plan wise.
So the early EOL for the Droid and others is simply signaling a paradigm shift in the industry. Its all about disposables. What I am hoping is that Virgin and other companies will force the Big Guys to counter them with a similar ala carte plan.
What I'm looking for? I am looking for the company that supports (BYOP - Bring Your Own Phone) GSM SIM card phones, with a $40-$60 unlimited everything plan. Not such a far-fetched idea now, is it?
