They wanted to run a full credit check. They actually wanted my social security number. I'm a customer and I don't appreciate being subjected to a wireless anal probe.
EVERY cellular service provider does this, not just BAM/Verizon. Why? Because contrary to the ubiquity of cell phones and cell phone users in this country, cell phones are still classifed as "luxury items." Nevermind the fact that Harry Newton's kid was using his cell phone to cheat on exams before I ever had one to read CNN from on the train. But, I agree, it sucks.
The reason that handys are so popular and the service is so good in Europe is twofold. First, in Europe, you're only charged for the calls you make. Unlike in the U.S., you're not charged for calls that someone else makes to you. And, because of the outrageous prices of standard landline telephone calls, a hand phone's service rates are comparable to those of landline's rates, if not better. So it's an economically sound decision. Further, prepaid abounds there--unlike here. And in Europe, unlike in America, prepaid is not relegated to people with bad credit or looked down upon. You can but a phone or a card in a convenience store, there. Here, few carriers advertise them, let alone promote prepaid.
Second, there's GSM and it was developed way before Americans really were clued in to the game. The standard prevails in Europe and has spread to the rest of the world. Why *would* you try to develop something else to compete with this monstrous cellular force? Unfortunately, Americans have realized that too late.
A word on the wireless Internet...it's not that great at this stage. There's a joke floating around Europe that WAP stood for "Where are the phones?" At least in the U.S. (in major metro areas), we've gotten the goods as the same time that we got the service. Granted, it's gonna be big...but again, the U.S. phones use older HDML while European sites and phones use WML. Japan uses CHTML. These 3 technologies are fueling the debate right now in the industry.
I believe that NTT Docomo owns most of the market in Japan. But one thing to note about Japan's wireless scene is that, while iMode and all those tenny little phones are the rage in Japan, they are also not compatible with anything else in the world...much like the USA's 3 different prevailing standards (analog, CDMA, TDMA...only 2-3 carriers use GSM).
Also, in the U.S., right now, there is a lot of consolidation among carriers. We're building up so that there are only 3-4 companies w/ which to reckon, rather than the 50 or so that exist now under various names. Verizon Wireless or Sprint PCS may have crappy service, but isn't nice to be able to roam around the country without being charged? That's the advantage that GSM gives, too. However, I don't think whining about it will help--although, god knows, I have questioned that myself. I think everyone in the industry has questioned that, but it's kind of hard to change things in a space the size of the U.S. GSM World is working on transplatform compatability, which would mean everyone could roam in and out of the U.S. Let's hope it happens soon!
I could care less about whether someone's responses to "Patricia" were "sexist." Reading her response sent off the troll alarms in my head. There is no way that a 16-year-old (who, btw, mucked up on her calculations since a girl who has had her cell phone for a year after her 16th birthday would be, well, at least 17), male OR female, could do a competent job of EITHER driving an SUV or gabbing on a cell phone, let alone both. And you can forget about a 16-year-old knowing the proper usage of "muckraking" or how to form a cohesive set of thoughts without using words such as "like" or "you know." Methinks P.M.S. doth protest too much. Face it folks: the real author behind P.M.S. is making commentary on society's habits. Personally, I think the attempt is rather witty.
I gathered that the expensive, polluted, devoid of culture place that SideshowBob was referring to was Silicon Valley. I don't know Manhattan, but it definitely is an accurate description of the Valley.
The Metra is also the best form of transportation for anyone in the Chicago suburbs (and even Indiana) to get into the City. Chicago is a good example of how transit into (and within) a major business hub can work and work efficiently. Unfortunately, the Western and Northwestern suburbs have the same problem that the Valley has: an urban suburbia where public transportation is not cost- or time-effective, traffic is hell and you basically need a car to get around. Add snow and other bad weather into the mix and even the 85/101 merge looks good in comparison.
It's not the number of tech jobs, it's the number of *people.* Of course, it can be said that the number of jobs influences the number of people who come to the valley in droves, but so does the temperate climate.
For cell/mobile phone reviews from consumers without a selling slant, check out: http://www.deja.com http://www.consumerreview.com http://www.epinions.com http://www.cellmania.com/cgi-bin/cm_store/ui/rant. jsp? For cell/mobile phone reviews and comparison/shopping information, check out: http://www.cellmania.com http://www.decide.com http://www.point.com FYI, a cell phone is only as good as the carrier's service in the area where it is activated, so keep that in mind when making your decision.
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EVERY cellular service provider does this, not just BAM/Verizon. Why? Because contrary to the ubiquity of cell phones and cell phone users in this country, cell phones are still classifed as "luxury items." Nevermind the fact that Harry Newton's kid was using his cell phone to cheat on exams before I ever had one to read CNN from on the train. But, I agree, it sucks.
Check out this to read about Verizon/BAM.
Second, there's GSM and it was developed way before Americans really were clued in to the game. The standard prevails in Europe and has spread to the rest of the world. Why *would* you try to develop something else to compete with this monstrous cellular force? Unfortunately, Americans have realized that too late.
A word on the wireless Internet...it's not that great at this stage. There's a joke floating around Europe that WAP stood for "Where are the phones?" At least in the U.S. (in major metro areas), we've gotten the goods as the same time that we got the service. Granted, it's gonna be big...but again, the U.S. phones use older HDML while European sites and phones use WML. Japan uses CHTML. These 3 technologies are fueling the debate right now in the industry.
I believe that NTT Docomo owns most of the market in Japan. But one thing to note about Japan's wireless scene is that, while iMode and all those tenny little phones are the rage in Japan, they are also not compatible with anything else in the world...much like the USA's 3 different prevailing standards (analog, CDMA, TDMA...only 2-3 carriers use GSM).
Also, in the U.S., right now, there is a lot of consolidation among carriers. We're building up so that there are only 3-4 companies w/ which to reckon, rather than the 50 or so that exist now under various names. Verizon Wireless or Sprint PCS may have crappy service, but isn't nice to be able to roam around the country without being charged? That's the advantage that GSM gives, too. However, I don't think whining about it will help--although, god knows, I have questioned that myself. I think everyone in the industry has questioned that, but it's kind of hard to change things in a space the size of the U.S. GSM World is working on transplatform compatability, which would mean everyone could roam in and out of the U.S. Let's hope it happens soon!
I could care less about whether someone's responses to "Patricia" were "sexist." Reading her response sent off the troll alarms in my head. There is no way that a 16-year-old (who, btw, mucked up on her calculations since a girl who has had her cell phone for a year after her 16th birthday would be, well, at least 17), male OR female, could do a competent job of EITHER driving an SUV or gabbing on a cell phone, let alone both. And you can forget about a 16-year-old knowing the proper usage of "muckraking" or how to form a cohesive set of thoughts without using words such as "like" or "you know." Methinks P.M.S. doth protest too much. Face it folks: the real author behind P.M.S. is making commentary on society's habits. Personally, I think the attempt is rather witty.
I gathered that the expensive, polluted, devoid of culture place that SideshowBob was referring to was Silicon Valley. I don't know Manhattan, but it definitely is an accurate description of the Valley.
The Metra is also the best form of transportation for anyone in the Chicago suburbs (and even Indiana) to get into the City. Chicago is a good example of how transit into (and within) a major business hub can work and work efficiently. Unfortunately, the Western and Northwestern suburbs have the same problem that the Valley has: an urban suburbia where public transportation is not cost- or time-effective, traffic is hell and you basically need a car to get around. Add snow and other bad weather into the mix and even the 85/101 merge looks good in comparison.
It's not the number of tech jobs, it's the number of *people.* Of course, it can be said that the number of jobs influences the number of people who come to the valley in droves, but so does the temperate climate.
For cell/mobile phone reviews from consumers without a selling slant, check out: http://www.deja.com http://www.consumerreview.com http://www.epinions.com http://www.cellmania.com/cgi-bin/cm_store/ui/rant. jsp? For cell/mobile phone reviews and comparison/shopping information, check out: http://www.cellmania.com http://www.decide.com http://www.point.com FYI, a cell phone is only as good as the carrier's service in the area where it is activated, so keep that in mind when making your decision.