Slashdot Mirror
iPhone Forcing Open Wireless Networks?
fermion writes "Wired asserts that the iPhone blew up the wireless industry. This article argues that because Apple demanded the opportunity to control their own phone, and ATT née Cingular agreed, other companies are opening up the networks, and Google now has the opportunity to make Android a reality. There are other tidbits. Allegedly Verizon turned Jobs down without even listening to his pitch, a decision they may well regret now that they are hemorrhaging customers. Also, that Motorola and the networks were responsible for the fiasco dubbed the ROKR, something which I believe given how damaged the American version of the RAZR was compared to international version. It also estimates that the iPhone cost upward of $150 million to design, and earns Apple about $200 profit per phone."
Those carries have been open for a long time: I've been using unlocked GSM phones on them for years. The iPhone is a big step backwards: it's carrier-locked and non-programmable. Far from moving the industry forward, Apple has been taking it backwards.
If you want a nice phone, get an unlocked Nokia N95-3; you get 3G speeds, a 5Mpixel camera, stereo speakers, GPS (works with Google maps), a Safari web browser, and lots more. You aren't locked into a contract or carrier, and you can put in a different SIM card when you travel.
I simply meant that it is not like America where there are different phone connection protocols with different levels of reception depending on where you are, there is just one across the whole of Europe. Of course, if you actually try to use your phone across Europe then they kill you with the roaming charges, but at least it means if you buy an unlocked phone then you can use it anywhere.
My little Linux and tech blog
As much as I hate Verizon Wireless for crippling their phones, if Verizon had 62.1 million subscribers in June 2007 and 63.7 subscribers as of January 8th, 2008, how can they be "hemorrhaging" customers?
AT&T may be clobbering them, adding new acquisitions to 67.3 million lines (from 63.7 in June 07), but Verizon has a turnover rate of less than 2% and they've increased the total # of subscribers since the iPhone release.
The fact that the iPhone shookup the wireless industry and forced others to innovate and improve is true, but Verizon isn't dying. They DO need to play catchup with AT&T though; AT&T is widening their lead.
Its not just Europe, its the entire world.
:)
I can take my Aussie (where I live) phone and bring it to Turkey (where I am atm) and it will work fine.
I also have the option of swapping SIM cards to a turkish one to save money.
I actually didnt know that the US wasnt like this.
Seems kinda (well *really*) stupid to me.
- Europe: 10,180,000 km^2 (3,930,000 sq mi)
- European Union: 4,324,782 km^2 (1,669,807 sq mi)
- Texas: 678,051 km^2 (261,797 sq mi)
- USofA: 9,826,630 km^2 (3,794,066 sq mi)
All data after Wikipedia. Densities differ - true, but still, don't use such exaggerations to support your argument (which is not bad in itself)."Evil will always triumph over good, because good is dumb." - Dark Helmet (Spaceballs)