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43 Comments
- drouk1556, on 11/04/2009, -0/+54Fun fact:
SMS are essentially piggybacked onto signaling paths used for the telephony network when no signaling traffic exists. This means that your carrier is using otherwise unallocated resources to send your texts, and billing the living ***** out of you for something that costs them literally no money.
More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS - Lucas123, on 11/03/2009, -0/+39Only 11? You should see my bill. I think I'm paying fees for remote dog washing services.
Wait, that can't be right... - MrScotchBoy, on 11/03/2009, -0/+24Wireless providers screw us so hard we don't even get the lube...FML
- inactive, on 11/04/2009, -0/+17$800 security deposit on an iPhone? That's like giving Hertz $30,000 to rent a Camry.
- diemunkiesdie, on 11/04/2009, -2/+18The Caller ID shows names? In my experience on T-Mobile and on Verizon, I have only seen phone numbers for the ID, never a name! The only time a name shows up is if I have that number in my address book!
- groovystratman, on 11/04/2009, -0/+13You forgot to add getting billed for FULL MINUTES even though a call can be in fractions of minutes. So if you make a call that lasts 1 minute and 1 second, you will pay for TWO MINUTES.
Everything is ALWAYS ROUNDED UP, to the advantage of the wireless "provider". - IKORKYI, on 11/04/2009, -0/+10personally on my bill, i love the "Verizon Wireless' and Other Charges & Credits" which is defined as "Verizon Wireless Surcharges - Includes charges to recover or help defray costs of taxes and of governmental charges and fees imposed on us by the government."
when there is also a "Taxes, Governmental Surcharges & Fees" defined as "Includes sales, excise and other taxes and governmental surcharges and fees that we are required by law to bill customers."
right - c010rb1indusa, on 11/04/2009, -0/+10All I want is a flat monthly charge, with unlimited voice, data, and text, without the $15 extra is FCC and BS fees for under $75 a month. I'll even sign a 2 year contract and buy a $199 phone. Just enough with minutes, nights and weekends, mobile to mobile, and $15 texting plans etc etc. We need a vonage equivalent for mobile carriers.
- paladin33, on 11/04/2009, -0/+6Fun?
Your definition differs from mine... - GregFD3S, on 11/04/2009, -0/+5Just 11?
Really? - IKORKYI, on 11/04/2009, -0/+4or how they build the cost of the phone into contacted plans, yet the cost of your plan doesn't go down after the contract period is over.
- thebreach, on 11/04/2009, -0/+4It really is asinine how bad they rape us for things that cost them less than pennies on the dollar.
Even more asinine that the ALL do it... - mpsnerdley, on 11/04/2009, -1/+5Vote with your pocketbook: if you don't like it, don't use the service. Go somewhere else. Or just don't use cell phones. Maybe some of you are too young to remember this, but there was a time (not more than 20 years ago) where cell phones were essentially non-existent and everybody got along fine without them.
- BigTrey, on 11/04/2009, -2/+5This is why I don't have a cell phone, nor want one.
- farfegnugen, on 11/04/2009, -0/+3When I call my home land line, my name shows up on the Caller ID. As far as cell-to-cell calls go, yeah, no name. Just the number.
- bmad965, on 11/04/2009, -0/+3Same on AT&T.
- Myztry, on 11/04/2009, -0/+3Don't forget the governments. Telecommunications is meant to be a regulated industry. These scams are allowed because the governments collect taxes, spectrum fees, etc.
- GusterBear, on 11/04/2009, -1/+4But, but, if you listen to the Free market capitalists this WOULD NEVER happen! There'd be enough start-ups and such to...
You know, I can't even complete my sarcasm. - JoeNaguib, on 11/04/2009, -0/+2Per-Second Billing from Fido FTW.
- capyoda, on 11/04/2009, -0/+2the government, telecommunication companies, auto companies, financial companies...
we either like getting screwed constantly or we're all closet masochistic. - wampalord, on 11/04/2009, -0/+2The wonderful unregulated free market at work
- carlosos, on 11/05/2009, -0/+2If you are in Florida or other areas where MetroPCs has good coverage than you can use their $50 plan.
http://www.metropcs.com/plans/default.aspx
Boost mobile also has the same for $50
http://plans.boostmobile.com/monthlyunlimited.aspx
If you don't use the data plan too much than PagePlus will be even better for you. It is only $40 but has only 20MB of data usage (which should be enough to check email and some other small web stuff). It uses Verizons network.
http://www.pagepluscellular.com/Plans/Unlimited%20 ...
The main disadvantage of those providers is that you have to buy your own phone which also means that there should be no contract that forces you to stay with them.
I personally just use a the T-Mobile prepaid where I pay like 9 cents a minutes and keep my minutes for a year (or longer if I buy new minutes) - thomsonbear, on 11/04/2009, -0/+2Pay to get screwed. Sounds like a hooker
- BerateBirthers, on 11/04/2009, -1/+3We need a wireless public option. The major carrier need a nonprofit competitor to keep them in line.
- nicc, on 11/04/2009, -0/+1I had numerous issues with that article and haven't seen/heard some of those things (roaming charges and security deposits) since the early 00s.
in the 11+ years I have had a cell phone I have never once needed to contact a customer service agent for anything, my bills have always been what they should be and I have never had a call dropped.
I can't be the statistical outlier... - wassim2k, on 11/04/2009, -0/+1text messages
- goatworship, on 11/20/2009, -0/+1That would be nice. Sprint should do that to shake things up and regain some market share.
They should also be the first to abandon separate billing methods for voice and text, just charge transmission time for texts from the plan's minutes. They could even round that to the nearest second, since the average text probably takes a small fraction of a second to actually transmit. It would be sacrificing a cash cow, but the loss might be recouped by the added business. - acidtonic, on 11/04/2009, -0/+1Amen. My phone got damaged 2 months before the contract date was up. Since I'm on a share plan with my girl both phones use the same minutes anyway so I just upped and stopped carrying a phone.
After 2 days I felt so liberated that I will never carry one again. I make outgoing calls only.
I dont even miss it. - gerryk, on 11/04/2009, -0/+1Wow... if my carrier behaved like that, I'd be pissed off too... compared to what I could be landed with, I'm pretty happy with my carrier.
- Algan, on 11/04/2009, -0/+1Most of your comments are correct, but not all:
#4 GSM providers like AT&T and T-Mobile use SIM cards and the phones are still locked into one carrier. What makes you think it will change with LTE?
#6 *****, the wireless provider is a trusted source of caller id, the number they send out is passed on to landlines and other wireless providers. - mwilhelm, on 11/04/2009, -0/+1So, how is charging $0 .20 to receive a text message by default without a visible way to immediately opt-out NOT charging for a paid feature I didn't sign up for? I didn't explicitly say "I want to receive text messages" yet I do anyway...
"Add a premium text block right on your account by calling or doing it yourself online."
Thanks for making my case for me.
"all you kiddies want something for nothing." Pot. Meet kettle. If I have to explain the fallacy of this argument, then it won't sink in anyway. Suffice it to say, both or either parties in this argument are looking for something for nothing (like a guaranteed paycheck on a contrived legalese 12-month contract regardless of service provision) - or we would have a shiny, happy, balanced marketplace without ANY gripes on either side.
I however, subscribe to the philosophy that corporations exist to serve my/our collective common interest. I don't exist to serve theirs. Apparently it is a bit too much to ask for straight-forward terms, reliable service, and COMPETITIVELY priced products...
Yes, you're absolutely right. If we don't want to pay to be raped by a phone company we can chose to not have a phone. Fantastic logic. Great excuse. You're right. If I can't understand the contract I shouldn't be buying a phone. I shouldn't be driving a car, owning a home, or eating either. Or is it - since I'm not qualified to recognize good gardening, engineering, or construction - I should just settle for mediocrity? On that same note, how many people do you know would sign these contracts (or how many of the first people who did sign them would have set precedence for the rest of us) had the terms been clearly delineated in plain English? ZERO.
I for one can't wait to have to pay, pay, pay for a poorly provided service built on infrastructure subsidized by me, the taxpayer.
Yes, Caveat Emptor is certainly the law of the land - but at some point, the necessity of service becomes the prey for corporate greed. That's called indentured servitude.
Your pathetic excuses are precisely why mediocrity prevails. But hey, if you can't meet the standard, just lower the bar.
So, how's Verizon treatin' ya these days? Good benefits? - spiritamx79, on 11/04/2009, -0/+1That is one thing I miss about Nextel. They used to have 'nearest second' billing.
A call that lasts 3 mintues and 12 seconds, got charged for 3 minutes and 12 seconds. - mwilhelm, on 11/04/2009, -0/+1Government doesn't collect taxes from these companies. We pay their taxes for them.
- mwilhelm, on 11/04/2009, -0/+1Didn't you know - it's your constitutionally vested right to get ***** by wireless companies.
The real first amendment reads - free speech, free press, free religion, and free mobile to mobile calling.
Guess which one of those actually costs nothing?
(none) - farfegnugen, on 11/04/2009, -0/+1I've been waiting for the Motorola Droid (Sholes) to come out for 3 months now. I'm really excited for this phone. But now it looks like I'm not getting it. Mandatory $30/month unlimited data plan? Screw you, Verizon. I miss the $5.99/month unlimited data plan I had with T-Mobile. Unfortunately, the reason I'm on Verizon now is because T-Mo doesn't have service in Boston. After 2 months of pressing my face up against my bedroom window every time I wanted to make a call, and then a solid week of having no service wherever I went, I was forced to switch to Verizon.
- kurtwinter, on 11/04/2009, -0/+1Personal Favorite - The complete useless, hopelessly inaccurate, data activity monitor in Verizon's "VZAccess" applet.
- PhoneGuy1, on 11/04/2009, -0/+0ONLY the # is passed on. The landline company is the holder of who possesses which phone # and attaches the name to it. Have you ever looked at your bill with multiple lines on it? All the phones don't say ONE NAME do they? The one that's on the bill? No. The phone company has no idea who has what phone as they change all the time and families play give each other their phones all the time.
- JoeNaguib, on 11/04/2009, -1/+1Just wondering, what magical provider are you with?
Furthermore, do you understand how to read your bill? - plaguester, on 11/06/2009, -0/+0T-Mobile's smartphone data plan is $25 for unlimited date and 400 texts, or $30 for unlimited data and texts. Smartphones use way more data than simpler "feature" phones. I'm actually looking forward to our contracts running out so my wife and I can switch to Verizon (I have the G1 on T-Mobile, and she has an iPhone).
- mrfreyman, on 11/04/2009, -0/+0I just left TMobile after 12 years when having a Dash replaced once for hardware issues, then a second time for hardware issues after 1 year and 1 month only to be told 'its out of the 1 year warranty term'. After griping for half an hour they told me theyd replace it at 'full discount'. Well, apparently 'full discount' means theyll replace it and put you on another 2 year contract to pay for the awesome 'full discount' your receiving.
Oh, and while Im on the subject...what is the freakin deal with data plan pricing going through the roof?? Almost no one carries pre-paid anymore and you cant find one for under $50. Everyones 'Unlimited' actually means a 5 gig limit with crazy charges for each additional meg over...oh well you could use Cricket for $40 bucks and get true unlimited but then they'll block every useful port or service they can find so its completely useless. Why is it in Europe unlimited data exits, exists in prepaid form, and exists for less than half the cost of the US carriers? Plain and simple its greed and closed markets, or 'open' with crazy barriers to entry thanks to lobbying. Voice Over IP is almost free and the big telcos are cranking up the data plans pricing and placing data caps so they still get their meat hooks in your pocket....its completely ridiculous. The free web based Google voice is now being threated by imposition of rules by the FCC because of the big telcos are crying about not getting their hands in the pie. Innovative Google makes VOIP calling FREE, the big telcos no longer get a dime, so now the telcos lobby the FCC to make sure they do. The FCC is likely about to impose rules on Google Voice which will no longer make it a viable free service offering. Thanks telcos and thanks FCC for screwing up the marketplace once again...youve done it for years and years, why should now be any different. - plhofmei, on 11/04/2009, -1/+1"Needless to say, requiring security deposits and pulling credit scores for services that impose no risk on the other party is incomprehensible."
I disagree with this. Credit has a lot to do with it. The phone company is basically extending you a line of credit by giving you service now (which may include overages) and billing you later. If you have bad credit this could indicate you won't pay your bill (including the portion for your regular monthly plan!) - GusterBear, on 11/04/2009, -3/+2That was also when pay phones were fairly well accessible. Now-a-days, IF you find a telephone booth, odds are it doesn't work.
Sorry, in today's world cell phones are pretty much the only option. - PhoneGuy1, on 11/04/2009, -11/+1Very inaccurate article.
Yes, SMS is more expensive than data, but it's a different form of communications. Technically minutes come from the sky as well, but overage rates are expensive as well. It's just all you kiddies want something for nothing.
"requiring security deposits and pulling credit scores for services that impose no risk on the other party is incomprehensible." Every time I've seen a security deposit required it's because people who need one is because they don't pay their bills! Why would I give you a $600 phone and then not have something to fall back on when they don't pay up? Honestly, every time I see one like that they get all the features and before the first bill even arrives they're usually asking for the # to make payment arrangements because they say they probably can't pay it on time or in full.
#3 about adding paid features is an outright lie. You don't sign up for cell phone service and then suddenly have other things added on that COST MONEY without you agreeing to it. They can't say, um, I know you want this $60 plan, but I HAVE TO ADD ON THIS AND THAT for another $25. Sorry! You sign paperwork in the store. Sure they may add on an optional feature like a free trial, but some reps are working for 3rd parties and yes, LIE TO YOU about trials. Just check your plan online and remove any free trials before they expire or call the phone company.
#4 with LTE soon they'll all have SIM cards and handsets won't be carrier specific
#5 dropped calls are inevitable. There's no wires. Find the right carrier for your area.
#6 Caller ID is not controlled by your wireless company. It's controlled by the landline companies which attaches the name of the person to the #. It is then attached to it during the call. If it's showing the previous owner's name call your carrier and they'll file a ticket to contact the landline company and correct it.
#7 This is ATT who charges to upgrade. VZW does not. There is a $20 annual upgrade fee if you upgrade every 12 months versus every 20 months if your plan is $49.99/mo+ for a single line and $79.99/mo+ for a famshare plan.
#8 ETF's. You do not have to sign a contract. Bring your own phone. Done. If you want that shiny new phone and want a big discount then by all means sign the 1 or 2 year contract to lower the price of that shiny thing that you now aren't even listening to the salesman about an ETF. Then later you wish to cancel because you like switching carriers every 6 months for some reason and when you call feel like since you didn't read the paperwork about the $175 ETF you should be able to quit because that $600 phone isn't enough because you only paid $200 for it cuz you don't understand contracts, the real world, and don't see the other side of the coin.
#9 If you get charged for premium text messages then don't give out your # or text those late night TV commercials without reading the fine print for the $9.99/mo for that "chat line". Add a premium text block right on your account by calling or doing it yourself online.
#10 Outright lies all over. 1. If you live in an area and the phoneco can't provide service then you're let out of the contract. 2. Roaming? Who has roaming charges any more? Very old plans that are $10 cheaper per month. That's about it. Maybe this is ATT's stance of enforcing the contract but not big red's.
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