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When will phones be separated from providers?

I want to be able to go to Best Buy, Walmart or Microsoft store get a phone and just use it with my service. And I want Microsoft to be able to just update it or me update it myself. Just like I do with a PC. I can update my PC any way I want and it makes no difference to my internet provider.

Comments

Tepid

This will not happen till we can convince the populace and the establishment to change the

Rules and Definitions as to what constitutes a Mobile Phone v. a Hand Held Computer that happens to have Cell Phone Service Capabilities, the Mobile Carriers will never let them go.

But that also means that your phone will no longer be cheap or free. it will be a luxury item like a tablet.

However, this could drive the cost down over all, but it will be difficult for most to get a high end flagship phone.

Most will be cheap throw away after about 6 months of use.

There are Pros and Cons to this.

SickFreak

I have been asking this exact question for years. We don't buy another computer just because we change ISPs - we just change the modem. This should be the same thing in the USA - just change out the radio portion of the phone.

SickFreak

No Tepid, the phones are not "free" - people pay for them via their contracts.... and a lot more than their real cost. This is why, if you buy the device outright, you can save a lot of money in your two-year service contract.

Yes, I think separating the phones from the carriers will drive down prices as it will open up competition. Carriers will no longer decide which devices we're allowed to have - the consumers will determine the market. Why in the world does a smart phone cost roughly the same as a 60" Smart HDTV? Even tablet devices are cheaper than the smartphones.

Tidbits

The answers are already sitting in front of everyones face.

Block C rules(future spectrum auctions will follow the same rules), and VoLTE. We are moving that way and within the near future you can buy any device and use it on any carrier provided the manufacturer make it work on various LTE spectrums.

Tepid

I agree it will create a much needed competition war among vendors of all kinds.

How much cheaper it will be remains to be seen.

Many people won't leave the Big 3 in general. But, who knows.

Let the consumer decide and the market will balance itself out.

However, good luck with that in this day and age. Lot's of cronyism and lazy consumers out there.

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