tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471993488623327927.post8463080822236503433..comments2024-03-13T06:57:54.343+00:00Comments on Obnoxio The Clown: What the cell phone companies don't tell you about textsObnoxio The Clownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12012089552153702526noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471993488623327927.post-43887259496970726392008-12-30T02:18:00.000+00:002008-12-30T02:18:00.000+00:00I was vaguely aware of this and have no problem wi...I was vaguely aware of this and have no problem with it.<BR/>For one reason or another my mobile calls are pretty well free though my rare texts do cost 10 or 20p each. <BR/>I'm happy enough with that.bannedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02406037760273820029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471993488623327927.post-89586401738816623022008-12-29T16:41:00.000+00:002008-12-29T16:41:00.000+00:00At the outset of the mobile phone industry; only t...At the outset of the mobile phone industry; only two country's consumers really took to the sms service... the UK and Japan. In most others, it was often ignored, the USA even ran campaigns to encourage its use in a populus raised with a permanent ear welded to a phone.<BR/><BR/>Consequently, most sms services were FREE in the early days across much of the world.<BR/><BR/>Of course, things have changed and now most of the world is happy to send their friends a short message. Not surprisingly the phone companies are charging for it too.<BR/><BR/>However while Japan kept prices high, they replaced sms with their DoCoMo services (an early 3G, value added, bells and whistles thing). In the UK we got shafted with the basic offering but still premium prices. Europe and latterly the US have followed our model.<BR/><BR/>The rest of the world? They moved from free to extremely cheap sms. Malaysia, for example, charges the equivalent of just 1 UK penny a text (5 sens local).<BR/><BR/>If they (and others) can change such a low rate, why can't a larger (and arguably more competitive) country?<BR/><BR/>There's something really wrong with this industry. They seem geared to offering more for MORE, rather than honest competition which should deliver more for LESS.John Pickworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02166443099429490782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471993488623327927.post-22677859425197692008-12-29T15:05:00.000+00:002008-12-29T15:05:00.000+00:00I don't have a problem with businesses making unex...I don't have a problem with businesses making unexpected profits, I mean, let's face it: texts are a fantastic benefit to consumers.<BR/><BR/>I find the collusion between industry players to hide the costs from consumers the worrying aspect of this tale.<BR/><BR/>But yes, more competition is the fix.Obnoxio The Clownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12012089552153702526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471993488623327927.post-45462591268789028622008-12-29T13:51:00.000+00:002008-12-29T13:51:00.000+00:00Does the fixed cost/ variable cost profit structur...Does the fixed cost/ variable cost profit structure REALLY matter to consumers?<BR/><BR/>Text messaging is FREE (as long as you build a multi billion GSM/3G network) should only fly with ignorant leftists.<BR/><BR/>As always the best way to align costs with prices is competition.AntiCitizenOnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00017073518049848696noreply@blogger.com