How about charging for services that actually cost something to provide? Charge whatever you think is reasonable for data coming from the towers. It costs a lot of money to put towers up, install back-haul data lines, and maintain them.
What is the cost to the cell phone providers to include GPS capabilities? Oh yeah... that's nothing, since that system is paid for by our taxes.
Charging for map downloads through the cellular network is fair game, but crippling the GPS so only a subscription application can receive coordinates is not.
Let the hive mind of Engadget get that for you.
"I'm in the market for a new phone and money isn't a limitation. I'm also not partial to any particular US carrier, but here are some of the features I'd like to have: WiFi, GPS, good coverage in lots of places, push Gmail (a must!), physical keyboard (a must!), a touchscreen, decent battery life and a relatively slim body. And please, nothing that has a fruit logo on it. No offense to the fruit fans, though. Thanks!"
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What is the cost to the cell phone providers to include GPS capabilities? Oh yeah... that's nothing, since that system is paid for by our taxes.
Charging for map downloads through the cellular network is fair game, but crippling the GPS so only a subscription application can receive coordinates is not.