Misc T-Mobile Drops Long-Term Contracts and Phone Subsidies - Page 2

**BigMeatballDave** · 03-27-2013, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodDraw

I love it, but we'll see how successful it is. This brings them much closer to how a lot of the European carriers work.

The biggest problem with t-mobile is their network. It's great if you're in an area with HSPA+, but if you adventure away from big cities you can find yourself in 2G pretty fast. And LTE is just now rolling out. But they're investing a lot in infrastructure right now...

T-Mobile's HSPA network is pretty fast if you can get it.

The Edge network ****ing sucks.

journeyscarab · 03-27-2013, 02:49 PM

I believe that in Europe and elsewhere it is common for the consumer to purchase the phone outright and then select the company you want service from. Getting the return on investment for subsidizing phones hasn't been as good as companies expected (especially if you're on an unlimited plan). They expect the data usage, purchasing of content and apps will make up for the difference and they've been chasing that dragon for a long time.

WoodDraw · 03-27-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by journeyscarab

I believe that in Europe and elsewhere it is common for the consumer to purchase the phone outright and then select the company you want service from. Getting the return on investment for subsidizing phones hasn't been as good as companies expected (especially if you're on an unlimited plan). They expect the data usage, purchasing of content and apps will make up for the difference and they've been chasing that dragon for a long time.

It's much more common in Europe, but the plans are much cheaper in most of Europe. Prepaid is also far more popular there. You can pop into a store, buy a sim, and be set up with phone and data for not much money (or time) at all.

The carrier subsidies aren't that good of a deal for buyers. The problem is that everyone here is used to three prices: $0, $99, $199. Convincing consumers that another world exists will take some effort.

But for anyone that is a technology snob, getting off a contract makes perfect sense. And it could lead to more competitiveness on the unlocked market. Here the Nexus 4 from the play store becomes good value. Might Motorola join the fun?

Setsuna · 03-27-2013, 09:03 PM

T-Mobile has been siphoning money from me for 2 years. I'm done in July and never looking back. Hate that place.

Ceej · 03-27-2013, 09:06 PM

Crazy.

I've never had any issues with tmobile in over 5+ years.

**bevischief** · 03-28-2013, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJizzles

Crazy.

I've never had any issues with tmobile in over 5+ years.

Had no problems in over 2 yrs. Even moved with no problems.

**BigMeatballDave** · 03-27-2013, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandusksuna

T-Mobile has been siphoning money from me for 2 years. I'm done in July and never looking back. Hate that place.

They are no worse than any other major carrier.

Setsuna · 03-28-2013, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

They are no worse than any other major carrier.

Wrong. I wanted to change my minutes plan and they gave me the run around. I'm done with them. And you can just back the heck off Dave.

WoodDraw · 03-28-2013, 12:27 PM

The important part of this is price transparency. If anyone thinks they're getting a subsidy when they buy a phone, well, you're not. You're paying the full price of the phone, wrapped into what you pay per month over the two year contract. You just don't know how much. And when you've paid the full price of your phone, or you complete your contract, you don't get a discount. The company just banks the profit.

At least now with tmobile, we've separated the cost of hardware and the cost service. That's a huge step in the right direction.

**Reaper16** · 03-28-2013, 12:41 PM

I've been using T-Mobile's no-contract 4G service since last May. I have no complaints.

03-27-2013, 02:49 PM	#3
journeyscarab SHOCKERS BABY! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Overland Park, KS Casino cash: $3623555	I believe that in Europe and elsewhere it is common for the consumer to purchase the phone outright and then select the company you want service from. Getting the return on investment for subsidizing phones hasn't been as good as companies expected (especially if you're on an unlimited plan). They expect the data usage, purchasing of content and apps will make up for the difference and they've been chasing that dragon for a long time.
Posts: 3,414

03-27-2013, 09:03 PM	#5
Setsuna Paladin Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Gator Country Casino cash: $10008487	T-Mobile has been siphoning money from me for 2 years. I'm done in July and never looking back. Hate that place.
Posts: 13,215

03-27-2013, 09:06 PM	#6
Ceej BOOM!1! Join Date: Aug 2004 Casino cash: $9425541	Crazy. I've never had any issues with tmobile in over 5+ years.
Posts: 18,768

03-28-2013, 12:27 PM	#10
WoodDraw Veteran Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $10005059	The important part of this is price transparency. If anyone thinks they're getting a subsidy when they buy a phone, well, you're not. You're paying the full price of the phone, wrapped into what you pay per month over the two year contract. You just don't know how much. And when you've paid the full price of your phone, or you complete your contract, you don't get a discount. The company just banks the profit. At least now with tmobile, we've separated the cost of hardware and the cost service. That's a huge step in the right direction.
Posts: 3,785