Quote:
Originally Posted by snipenekkid
you aren't kidding there. I was just working on a potential post that given my past coupld days with my new 32gb iPod Touch 4th Gen. that I would love a SIM card slot. It then dawned on me that is an iPhone but then it reminded me the reason I don't ever want a cell phone again until the device makers begin to offer the buyer the option to just grab a SIM card from the provider of their choice rather than a one-size-fits-all. We in the US are really buggered by the Cellco's and the broadband providers. I know I could be happy to pay an extra $50 for the flexibility. I don't see why the device makers and Cellco's could not work out deals similar to how things are now only letting the buyer choose which provider works best for us. Of course that would place the burden on the service providers to genuinely compete for customers based on their service rather than the quality of the device being used to access their network. Can't have that now, can we?  
BTW, I completely adore this 4th gen Touch, it is my first Apple product since an Apple II and a Newton. I see now why people love their iPhone even with the closed door way of doing things. |
Choice would come at a price, more than $50 extra. Hardware makers expect to make money. They don't care whether the carrier pays or you and I pay, but there's no free lunch. Without a carrier subsidy, consumers would have to pay hundreds for smart phones and tablets, out of pocket.
The best scenario is what's offered in parts of Europe and Asia, for instance. People who can't pay upfront can opt for subsidized hardware with carrier contracts; people who can afford hardware out of pocket would pay for it.
To some extent, that's happening with some devices in the U.S., as with the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Upfront without a contract, you pay $499. With a contract, you pay upward of $299, last I checked.