Verizon may follow T-Mobile with off contract phones

[kckid]

"Verizon executive says selling phones off contract is a “great thing,” will watch T-Mobile along with AT&T before acting"

 

http://www.pocketables.com/2013/01/verizon-executive-says-selling-phones-off-contract-is-a-great-thing-will-watch-t-mobile-along-with-att-before-acting.html

[hankbear]

It would be a good thing, if the prices are reasonable. There is no reason for a Nexus 10 to cost $400, while an SIII costs $700 out of contract.

[khammondnm]

It would force manufacturers to be competitive instead of relying on their precious subsidies and taking the cellular companies for all they have.

 

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[irev210]

It would force manufacturers to be competitive instead of relying on their precious subsidies and taking the cellular companies for all they have.

 

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

 

Yup, cellular companies want higher margins. Subsidies get in the way of that.

 

A side effect would be cheaper phones for consumers, though the level of quality and rapid pace of development might change a bit... but in the grand scheme of things, worth it.

[S4GRU]

I have been pleased with my Nexus 4 purchase. It would be great if we could buy any phone that way for any carrier.

 

Robert via Nexus 7 on Tapatalk

 

 

[kg4icg]

Look at the non contract prices of the 4, and you will find out that Sprint prices it at MSRP and the other 3 have a markup starting at $50 to $100 depending on which device. Radio Shack and Best Buy mark it up to $150 above msrp.

[ChadBroChillz]

The fact that they have great thing in quotes makes me believe that they have no intention of releasing their grip on subsidy.

 

I am sure they would love to switch away from subsidy and charge the same

[bigsnake49]

StraightTalk will have the iPhone 5 for the same $45/month price for unlimited talk, text and data. I wonder if that is for the LTE or HSPA network?

[xcharles718]

StraightTalk will have the iPhone 5 for the same $45/month price for unlimited talk, text and data. I wonder if that is for the LTE or HSPA network?

Probably 3G only, like their SIM offering.

[kckid]

Straight talk is GSM!, You pay full price for the phone + the $45/mo for service.

[newboyx]

Straight talk is GSM!, You pay full price for the phone + the $45/mo for service.

Straight Talk sells both CDMA and GSM phones.

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[kckid]

When I look at there coverage, it only showed gsm.

[xcharles718]

When I look at there coverage, it only showed gsm.

(A)T&T/(V)ZW/(T)-Mobile/(S)print

As for why they all say GSM, idk.

[ChadBroChillz]

When Did Tmobile's coverage start rivaling ATT/Verizon. That coverage looks larger than the maps they showed during the Metro merger conference.

 

That map probably includes roaming.

[WiWavelength]

When Did Tmobile's coverage start rivaling ATT/Verizon. That coverage looks larger than the maps they showed during the Metro merger conference.

 

That map probably includes roaming.

 

It does include roaming coverage. T-Mobile's native footprint is not nearly that broad. For whatever reason, the "GSM-S" (i.e. Sprint) map is limited to only native footprint, even excluding Sprint Rural Alliance partner coverage.

 

AJ

[ericdabbs]

Looks like Sprint is also monitoring Tmobile's new handset pricing model. Should be interesting to see how this plays out for Tmobile.

 

Last paragraph of the article.

"We're working on some interesting things" in this area, Van Norman hinted, without providing details.

Interestingly, Van Norman also said Sprint is closely watching T-Mobile USA's new approach to handset pricing. T-Mobile recently announced it would soon discontinue offering subsidies on devices, instead allowing customers to either buy their device upfront of pay for their device in monthly installments.

"I think we're watching what T-Mobile is doing closely," Van Norman said. "We're evaluating it to see if there are opportunities."

 

 

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/softbank-sprint-plans-challenge-rivals-handset-purchases/2013-01-11