01-29-2013, 01:39 PM | #31 |
Wizard
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Bingo. There is sufficient competition that you can find the deal you want, including no contract. Of course, you'll end up paying full price for the phone, but that's what an unlocked, no contract phone is worth, after all.
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01-29-2013, 01:41 PM | #32 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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If that's the case then why is this law being enacted?
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01-29-2013, 01:43 PM | #33 | |
Wizard
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Quote:
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01-29-2013, 01:45 PM | #34 | ||
Wizard
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Quote:
Quote:
In either case, not a new idea, and almost universally covered by the contracts. |
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01-29-2013, 01:47 PM | #35 | |
Wizard
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Quote:
You can also go to someone like Virgin Mobile, who offer accounts starting at $35/month with a couple hundred minutes, unlimited text and unlimited data, with no contract. But you have to pay full price for the phone. |
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01-29-2013, 01:48 PM | #36 |
Wizard
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Federal law, and all 50 states, have similar statutes. Even a contract that mandates arbitration can be challenged as unconscionable in court - you just have to challenge the abritration clause first.
It's far easier, however, to simply refuse to do business with companies that have contracts that you don't like. You can also negotiate with them, as often as not, even though few people realize it. |
01-29-2013, 02:05 PM | #37 |
Illiterate
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It is not being enacted, the LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS is interpreting existing copyright legislation to mean “AMERICANS SHALL NOT UNLOCK THEIR OWN SMARTPHONES.”
The question is; whose pocket is said librarian in? Don't you just love regulators? |
01-29-2013, 02:05 PM | #38 |
Is that a sandwich?
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Do many people change carriers? If so, for what reason?
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01-29-2013, 02:13 PM | #39 |
The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠
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01-29-2013, 02:16 PM | #40 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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Here's what EFF says:
https://www.eff.org/is-it-illegal-to-unlock-a-phone and from the LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/...0,633560.story and SF Chronicle: http://www.sfgate.com/technology/dot...es-4229779.php Last edited by kennyc; 01-29-2013 at 02:19 PM. |
01-29-2013, 02:17 PM | #41 |
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01-29-2013, 02:21 PM | #42 |
Illiterate
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Yes, when iPhones first came out they were only available on AT&T, but AT&T’s infrastructure was not up to the increased traffic. Thus iPhones were frequently “jailbroken” (unlocked) and a T-Mobile SIM was installed to get better service.
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01-29-2013, 02:23 PM | #43 |
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Some years back, though I'm not sure how it came about, wireless phone companies significantly lowered their early termination penalties. Back when I got my first cell phone (1997 I think?), if I cancelled my 2-year contract, I was on the hook for the entire cost of the remaining contract plus an inflated cost of the phone PLUS an additional early termination fee in the form of the initial deposit. We're talking thousands of dollars, depending on when the contract was cancelled.
(It's worth noting that when I moved to an area where they had recently stopped existing and the new owner of that region wouldn't honor my contract, they let me out with no questions asked and returned my deposit in full.) As it is now, for AT&T smart phone contracts with subsidized phone, the early termination fee starts at $325, and is reduced by $10 for each month of fulfilled service. $325 is a pretty good deal for a $600 phone, yeah? Break the contract, pay the fee, unlock the phone and go no-contract with another carrier for half the monthly cost. That's one reason why I can see this being in place. But I don't think this is the best way to go about it. |
01-29-2013, 02:31 PM | #44 |
The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠
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Here you go.
In short: Yes, if they're not prohibited weapons, and you obtain the relevant certificates in advance. |
01-29-2013, 02:33 PM | #45 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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Not worth it.
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