Comments on: Would you prefer cheaper mobile minutes or a nicer handset?

By: Nokia’s N96 suckiness doesn’t end with the firmware | AccMan

Nokia’s N96 suckiness doesn’t end with the firmware | AccMan — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:58:58 +0000

[...] more worrying problem centres on the carriers. In the UK (and other parts of the world), the carriers provide buyers with a significant handset subsidy. Even so, those same carriers need users to be on plan for at least 12 months to recover their [...]

By: Dennis Howlett

Dennis Howlett — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:50:31 +0000

I’d agree with you if it was the case that subscription costs fall to suit but the answer is they don’t. Like Pat I buy unlocked handsets because of travel needs. Even so shelling £550 for the N96 put me in nose bleed territory.

By: Darran

Darran — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:30:44 +0000

If the networks drop the subsidized handsets, I’d say they would continue to sell locked nearly full priced handsets and then make a token call charge price drop of no real savings to a huge marketing blitz making everyone think they are great saving everyone hundreds!

Sure we’re all Irish and gullible!

By: AJ

AJ — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:20:49 +0000

Would they really go for a model like that. I find it hard to think that the telcos wouldn’t screw us in every way they can. They already have tiered tariffs in place that increase or reduce the level they subsidise handsets, and you don’t save a huge amount.

If O2 can afford to give payg customers free talk and text for 30 quid a month, why can’t they give that to bill pay customers (even at a slight premium)…

Personally though, I’d much prefer to pay full price for a handset and get cheaper calls/texts/data, but I’m not conviced we’ll ever get there

By: Mauricio Reyes

Mauricio Reyes — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:19:04 +0000

This could be an interesting move. It could be a start of the transformation of the mobile phone industry – shaping the customers perception of mobile use and encouraging them to make more use of the mobile services in a way that early adopters use them now.

By: ultan

ultan — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:38:44 +0000

the issue is why don’t savings get passed on to irish consumers anyway. So, i want BOTH.

By: Craig Solomon

Craig Solomon — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:38:50 +0000

Pat–
This is a great idea, the problem is that telcom companies aren’t in business to make customers happy. Well sure if it adds to their bottom line then fine, but the subsidies are just a marketing scheme. If the average user pays $70 a month for mobile service (and that’s low compared to most people I know after you count add-ons) then the cell phone company will have recouped their subsidy in 3-4 months. We’re also talking about a business that has a relatively low overhead and high profit margin, they wouldn’t make half as much money by dropping the wireless cost 50% so they have very little incentive to do so. At least here in the US the upgrade prices aren’t nearly as highly subsidized as if you were opening a new account, so they figure that once they lock you in as a customer you won’t want the hassle of switching providers… especially since it sometimes takes several days (that you can’t use your phone) to “port the number” to a new carrier.
You know they say… if you want something done well do it yourself…
I’m sure its ridiculously expensive to start a new national carrier but… its an idea…

Slainte,
Craig

By: Ronan Skehill

Ronan Skehill — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:19:14 +0000

Since I buy my own handset – cheaper data and cheaper calls to local, national and International numbers please…

By: Ged Carroll

Ged Carroll — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 13:51:04 +0000

Pat, there is a second thread to your discussion that you seem to be ignoring. If there were unsubsidised handsets then customers could chose the handsets that suits their needs. From personal experience with all the UK carriers, this often leads me without data services as ‘their network doesnt support the XXX handset’.

At the moment, they lean heavily on their own crippleware loaded handsets and ignore people like yourself that want handset choice.

Anything that could improve settings and the pitiful performance of technical support at carriers is welcome in my book.

By: Little Links - Sunday December 7th 2008 | Joe Scanlon

Little Links - Sunday December 7th 2008 | Joe Scanlon — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 12:30:56 +0000

[...] Phelan asks Would you prefer cheaper mobile minutes or a nicer handset? I’d prefer if we didn’t have the Paddy [...]