Why are cell phones so expensive in the US? | FerrariChat
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Why are cell phones so expensive in the US?

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by Patrick_Bateman, Aug 14, 2009.

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  1. Patrick_Bateman

    Patrick_Bateman Formula Junior

    Dec 7, 2008
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    #1 Patrick_Bateman, Aug 14, 2009
    I am looking to get a blackberry curve and I decoded to look where they were at in the UK and I saw a Curve with 400 minutes and unlimited texts + data etc for 17.5 GBP a month.

    I looked over here and I couldn't find anything under $60 a month, even the data plan alone is $30 a month. :confused:
     
  2. AlexO91

    AlexO91 F1 Rookie

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    #2 AlexO91, Aug 14, 2009
    We have our fair share of expensive phones too you know.
     
  3. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

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    #3 enjoythemusic, Aug 14, 2009
    Americans get gouged... the highest cell phone plan rate of any populated/modern country as i recall.
     
  4. Patrick_Bateman

    Patrick_Bateman Formula Junior

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    #4 Patrick_Bateman, Aug 14, 2009
    Yeah but they aren't as much as over here. We are way behind too, there's phones you guys are giving away for basically free that we're still paying $150 + $60/month contracts.

    When I was in the UK I had a W800i with 100 minutes and 400 texts for 20 quid a YEAR after threatening to cancel. : /
     
  5. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

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    #5 SrfCity, Aug 14, 2009
    Sounds like the cell co's here are allowed to collude and the government looks the other way. Do without.
     
  6. Pav

    Pav Formula 3
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    #6 Pav, Aug 14, 2009
    I think it's nowadays very hard to breakthrough on UK market. I have a contract 600 minutes unlimited texts, data and 120 minutes abroad on a BB 9000 (for free) for 45 quid. Nowhere i found such a good deal except in Poland (but the contract didn't give me unltd data transfer, 1000 minutes instead for 35€)
     
  7. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 Wade, Aug 14, 2009
    That's a good question. While watching world events on the news, etc nearly everyone has a cell phone, even third world countries. Their income isn't anywhere near ours so how can they afford it?
     
  8. GG

    GG Formula 3

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    #8 GG, Aug 14, 2009
    Think they're expensive in the States? Try coming to Canada...

    I have 500mb data, 400 daytime minutes, unlimited evenings and weekends, caller ID, voicemail etc, and I pay close to $80 a month.
     
  9. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 GuyIncognito, Aug 14, 2009
    The US has the world's most complex and high-tech (read, expensive) land-line system. Since a) cell phones are (often) used as a replacement for a landline, and b) most landline carriers are also cellphone carriers (AT&T, Verizon, etc) they price according to their existing infrastructure cost, not the true cost of the cell phone grid.

    That's why many African nations have very high cell phone usage rates and very low landline usage rates....lots of (cheaper) cell grids, very little landline infrastructure.
     
  10. Pav

    Pav Formula 3
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    #10 Pav, Aug 15, 2009
    In Africa they make millions on cellphones and mobile services. Every subsaharian country has now a fair share of billionaires and millionaires (in US dollars) that made it by setting up mobile networks.
     
  11. AlexO91

    AlexO91 F1 Rookie

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    #11 AlexO91, Aug 15, 2009
    Ok take the Iphone.... I believe in the US the base Price is $99. You can't get an Iphone in a dodgy back ally here for that.
     
  12. Patrick_Bateman

    Patrick_Bateman Formula Junior

    Dec 7, 2008
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    #12 Patrick_Bateman, Aug 15, 2009
    True, but then I think the lowest plan you could get would make that about $60-70 a month. But your right though, although I think the iPhone is an exception to the rule.
     

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