Here in China, there are only 2 GSM carriers, and 1 CDMA carrier (who also happens to be the second GSM carrier too- they push dual-mode phones quite feverishly). The carriers only compete for post-paid customers, though (with the same phone selction except for CDMA that gets its phones from Korea- doesn't help them get any more customers, though)- basic pre-paid rates are the same for all of them across the board (basic rates- 3cents/KB data, 5cents/min voice, 1cent/text with free incoming texts only). Of course, additional packages can be added which make things a bit cheaper (my current package plan gives me 20 voice minutes and 60 texts for $1.30/month with overage being 1cent/minute voice and same for texts; and an additional 50MB data for $3.20/month). Oh yes- and if you think that's because they don't have to spend as much on network maintenance, think again. I mean, trying to cover Tibet and the other mountainous/high-altitude areas of China must be fun. News like this makes me glad that I left the hostile US-based mobile market. In fact, I might stick to my current carrier and roam in the States when I get back- at only 30cents/minute and 12cents/text (and look at my package plan- I don't talk a whole lot) it's feasible to do so (I think that data goes something like $5/MB, though).
“There's a certain feeling of wading through water with this phone, as every time we went exploring the menus, we were met with a delay long enough to make us doubt our keystrokes registered.”
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
Here in China, there are only 2 GSM carriers, and 1 CDMA carrier (who also happens to be the second GSM carrier too- they push dual-mode phones quite feverishly). The carriers only compete for post-paid customers, though (with the same phone selction except for CDMA that gets its phones from Korea- doesn't help them get any more customers, though)- basic pre-paid rates are the same for all of them across the board (basic rates- 3cents/KB data, 5cents/min voice, 1cent/text with free incoming texts only). Of course, additional packages can be added which make things a bit cheaper (my current package plan gives me 20 voice minutes and 60 texts for $1.30/month with overage being 1cent/minute voice and same for texts; and an additional 50MB data for $3.20/month). Oh yes- and if you think that's because they don't have to spend as much on network maintenance, think again. I mean, trying to cover Tibet and the other mountainous/high-altitude areas of China must be fun. News like this makes me glad that I left the hostile US-based mobile market. In fact, I might stick to my current carrier and roam in the States when I get back- at only 30cents/minute and 12cents/text (and look at my package plan- I don't talk a whole lot) it's feasible to do so (I think that data goes something like $5/MB, though).