Why All Phones Should Be Unlocked, Even iPhone
The Apple iPhone has sharply raised consumer awareness about the issue of locked cell phones. Most U.S. carriers profit from consumer ignorance about the locking issue. But the iPhone controversy is changing all that. Millions of cell phone users are suddenly talking about cell phone locking and asking themselves, "Why is my phone locked?" And that's a good thing. We cell-phone users should demand fully unlocked cell phones and reward carriers who provide unlocked phones with our business. And carriers need to prepare for the future. Nonphone SIM card devices, widespread use of multiple-SIM phones and multiple phone SIMS are all coming. And customers will demand FREEDOM AND CHOICE. 10/21/07 UPDATE: Walt Mossberg agrees.
8:22 AM * PERMALINK * 6 comments
Comments:
I totally agree. The locked cell phone racket has bugged me from the beginning and I'm at a loss at the fact that more users don't complain about this.
Users have been complaining for a long time, but it's the god damned lobbying that is so successful in buying the congress support and the inefficient FCC that can't do a thing about it. F*@$#ng idiots are running our lives.
That's why we've got to vote with our wallets and reward carriers that offer unlocked phones.
That they'll listen to.
Mike Elgan
If you want to get a $200-$500 phone for $99 or less, someone's got to pay for it. If the carrier subsidizes the phone, don't be surprised that they will take steps to safeguard their investment by locking the phone.
If you want an unlocked phone, you're going to have to pay full price for it yourself.
Not sure about AT&T, but T-Mobile would unlock your phone if you've been a customer for 2+ years. It's very useful when you travel overseas and want a local SIM.
Carriers lock phones because of the subsidized pricing. If you want to pay $75 to $200 more, you do have the option by buying online. Most users that would benefit from having an unlocked phone are tech savvy enough to find the phones they want online without their carrier being involved. On caveat to unlocked phones is that they may require some tweaking to get all the media features to work. Buying a phone directly from Nokia, for example, would meaan that your carrier's specific settings would need to be manually entered. Not impossible, but a bit tedious.
Post a Comment
<< Home