This article isn't a surprise. I've been doing this very thing to save money. I'm curious to see how the big carriers react as people either lessen their service, cancel all together and/or shift to prepaid.
Mike I think this is going to be percentage based, I mean I understand times are hard for a lot of people right now, but not everybody, and I think the majority of people just want to know that their still being treated fairly by their carrier. I don't think a majority of the contracted carriers customers have a problem with agreeing to a new contract as long as the perception that the carrier is working with them is felt. I agree that it is always good regardless of what's going on with the economy or wall street to scrutinize the value you're getting for your dollar, but that should be the way we live our lives at all times. If we did this in our everyday lives even in times of surplus than maybe we as a society wouldn't be in the condition we are in today. My opinion for the contracted carriers is that yes they are going to have to re-evaluate the price of doing business, and I think that has started to an extent with some of the offers that are now available. I think that carriers still have a long way to go, it will be interesting to see where the bottom is and where the line is drawn for some consumers, and carriers with how low can you go pricing. Regardless, I think these are very interesting to say the least times that we are living in.
I think, well hope, this will lead to lower data fees for the iPhone, G1, blackberry, etc. For all the reasons in the article, the slick looking touchscreen phone with the $80-$100+ monthly fees seems ridiculous. If you go prepaid, the carriers will be in big trouble- people can leave whenever they want, it's in their best interest to lock you into their system. So I think you might see some more freebies to try to entice you to sign up with them or better rates.
Well said! Though I've never paid a lot for cell service, I've paid for more than I needed (having up to three carriers at once). It worked for a long time, but as the economy tanked and living in California became an adventure (financially), I began to reevaluate every penny I was spending, something I handn't done in a long time :O. It seems a large percentage of people are reevaluating what they spend. In my response, I wasn't referring to T-Mobile, but moreso Verizon and AT&T specifically. T-Mobile and Sprint are great values with their well-priced "Unlimited" plans. The big two leave a lot to be desired, IMO. With mobile saturation looming sooner than later, value for the dollar will probably be the dominating factor versus the type of phone or a specific carrier. Coverage will also be a large factor too. I'm interested to see where wireless will be at the beginning of 2010...
Mobile Mike,I agree with your thinking in that regard. Additionally; The more small carriers that come on line, like Metro etc, the less the big carriers can charge, if they want to keep clients. Many people do not need super nationwide coverage especially those who use the cell phone as a land line replacement at or near home. Even those who can afford to pay more and really don't need the extras are now rethinking. Why spend for something they don't need just because they can? This situation is a good thing in some ways. Imagine if people had applied that concept to housing etc. over the past few years.
The one area of Data that I would like to see addressed if Family Share plans. I would like to see a shared data feature instead of per line additions. One thing that a lot of people forget about contracts though is that with the contracts the phones become subsidized so it is a trade off. Go with Metro PCS and pay 450 for your BB curve or go with VZW, ATT, TMO, Sprint and get your BB Curve for a hundred bucks just for one example. So for a lot of people the cost of the device to start service will continue to be the deciding factor.
We also recently downgraded our plan. We used to have the AT&T 2100 FS plan with unlimited family messaging, 1 PDA Personal line, and 1 BB Personal line. Since switching to Verizon six days ago, we lowered our rate plan to the Verizon FS Select 1400 Plan plus a BB data line. Most of our family and friends are on Verizon and the numbers that aren't m2m are on the Friends & Family list. My dad switched to a flip since it is easier for him to use when on our tours and I still have a BB data plan to check company email when out in the field, at home, etc. By switching to Verizon and changing our plan and dropping a data line, we are saving $50/month.
Good move, that is what many have and will be doing, individuals, families and business. Why pay more than you need to even in great times.
That is one of the reasons why we switched. The main reason is because AT&T was dropping so many calls in our house and around town it was time to switch. We also now have EVDO in all our areas that we take people to for tours. AT&T's 3G stopped five miles east of town.
