Comments on: Cellphone Perestroika

By: Nathan Long

Nathan Long — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:17:03 +0000

I think that metered data is a great idea. When you have a “plan,” you must pre-pay for a block of minutes and data. If you don’t use it all, you’ve wasted money; if you use more than you paid for, you get hit with fees. The pre-pay model, including “unlimited access” (which, of course, doesn’t exist) favors the carriers.
Imagine if carriers dropped all the complicated plan features that make them hard to compare and just said “we charge X per minute and Y per kilobyte.” You’d only pay for what you use, and it would be easy to see who had the best deal. Simple as buying gasoline.
I say, bring it on. (But of course they’ll find a way to complicate it.)

By: Caleb Rodriguez

Caleb Rodriguez — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:49:26 +0000

It is a good thing to see that your article has stirred up possible change. I have to set my feeling about Verizon aside since I do not trust them. I feel that if we had something like a MetroPCS plan with the availability of the big providers this may work. Imagine not being tied into a contract and using any phone that meets the minimum specs. Man I think this may work. What do you think?

By: Maybe the Telecomms Are Taking A First Step - Cellphone Perestroika « Edutainment & Convergence Today

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:32:04 +0000

[...] read more | digg story [...]

By: Dennis Carachiola

Dennis Carachiola — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:33:03 +0000

I think normal market-based competition will take care of your concerns. If there is a large response to the Verizon open network, then ATT and the others WILL take note. They will eventually open their networks, and with lower fees to attract people. The fees will eventually lower themselves to be low-markup and consumers will benefit. What I fear most is that people will not jump onto this new Verizon train.

By: Marc’s Voice » Blog Archive » This should be a hell of a week - coming up - blogging

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 08:33:26 +0000

[...] I agree with Walt (and others) Verizon’s move to open up their network is a major thing. Once again – the domino effect is happening right in front of our eyes. More evidence that being open – is inevitable. [...]