The carriers shouldn't subsidize phone hardware, but instead make a payment plan for the device and spread it over the life of the contract, cutting the subsidy costs out of their rates. Want to switch to another carrier? Go for it, but you'll still be paying off the phone. Already own a phone? Get a cheaper monthly rate. Pay the phone off early? Get a cheaper monthly rate.
@mullingit0ver 100% agree with you. FCC should look not only at the ETF, but at the whole scheme ETF is based on.
Since ETF is supposed to reimburse the carrier for the phone you purchased from them, if you already have a phone, or pay the full price of the phone from the start, your plan should be reduced, since you don't need to pay them anything for the device anymore.
Similarly - if you buy the phone using the cell company's subsidy, after 2 years have passed and your phone has been paid off, your plan should become cheaper, because you are not paying for the phone anymore.
@mullingit0ver Tmobile kinda does that already I paid 200 for a mytouch owe 200 more and ill be paying like if I was on a contract 10bucks for the next 20months and since I am off contract its even cheaper than if I was on the contract reason being if I was on a contract theyd have to figure out how to recoup from a heavily discount phone which in turn would makes my phone bill higher Im pretty happy with Tmobiles new system it works out a little better than Sprint and I dont get any drop calls as of yet though oh an The Cliq is shit I went through like 4 of them already haha
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The subsidy/ETF bullshit is just that.
The carriers shouldn't subsidize phone hardware, but instead make a payment plan for the device and spread it over the life of the contract, cutting the subsidy costs out of their rates. Want to switch to another carrier? Go for it, but you'll still be paying off the phone. Already own a phone? Get a cheaper monthly rate. Pay the phone off early? Get a cheaper monthly rate.
@mullingit0ver
100% agree with you. FCC should look not only at the ETF, but at the whole scheme ETF is based on.
Since ETF is supposed to reimburse the carrier for the phone you purchased from them, if you already have a phone, or pay the full price of the phone from the start, your plan should be reduced, since you don't need to pay them anything for the device anymore.
Similarly - if you buy the phone using the cell company's subsidy, after 2 years have passed and your phone has been paid off, your plan should become cheaper, because you are not paying for the phone anymore.
@mullingit0ver
Tmobile kinda does that already I paid 200 for a mytouch owe 200 more and ill be paying like if I was on a contract 10bucks for the next 20months and since I am off contract its even cheaper than if I was on the contract reason being if I was on a contract theyd have to figure out how to recoup from a heavily discount phone which in turn would makes my phone bill higher Im pretty happy with Tmobiles new system it works out a little better than Sprint and I dont get any drop calls as of yet though oh an The Cliq is shit I went through like 4 of them already haha
@mullingit0ver
I have SEEN the LIGHT! Quick! Get this to Verizon!