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The Cell Phone Industry
Murago
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I've been employed at Cingular/att for about 2 years now. Its a decent gig for not having a degree yet, but lately i've been wondering about the credibility of the business and its effect on society. Now, I know that communication can sometimes be invaluable, whether its a business deal, or just checking in on your family to give you peace of mind. Its come to my realization, however, that these little pocket phones may have a serious side effect to their users. More and more i find that it becomes a security blanket, but on a much larger scale.
I have had customer who will become apprehensive, emotional, or enraged at the idea (not the event) of not having a phone. I've seen tears, or begging, or shouting when the actual event occurs. And if this were a thing in passing, i wouldn't pay too much attention. But since my start in this industry, i've found that not a day goes by where this type of situation doesn't happen at least oncein my store alone. And even then, its usually multiple occasions in a given day.
Am i making too much of a small thing here, or do any of you feel similiar to how wireless communication governs you're day to day life? I'd like to get some outside opinions on this, as most of my co-workers are only really worried about their money, or don't really care.
I have had customer who will become apprehensive, emotional, or enraged at the idea (not the event) of not having a phone. I've seen tears, or begging, or shouting when the actual event occurs. And if this were a thing in passing, i wouldn't pay too much attention. But since my start in this industry, i've found that not a day goes by where this type of situation doesn't happen at least oncein my store alone. And even then, its usually multiple occasions in a given day.
Am i making too much of a small thing here, or do any of you feel similiar to how wireless communication governs you're day to day life? I'd like to get some outside opinions on this, as most of my co-workers are only really worried about their money, or don't really care.
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I mean, it is pretty reassuring to know you're in contact. Knowing you're capable of reaching someone anywhere, anytime, is a nice feeling.
I've probably had mine for one-and-a-half years, maybe two and I've charged it once.
A FUCKING TELEMARKETER RANG ME :x
Screw that.
Seriously, what the hell do people talk about multiple times a day? Maybe if I had a job that required me to move around a lot, yeah, but a mobile phone is really a luxury.
EDIT:
Don't you have a "Do not call" list over there? I register all my phone numbers with the TPS over here, which means I never get telemarketing calls.
I think if someone really feels genuinely reliant on a device to such an extent they should throw it away. That's crazy man.
Yeah, they started one a couple of months ago. Telemarketers aren't supposed to call mobiles anyway though, so I told them that and they hung up :P I do need to get the landline on the list though - the only reason I have it is for DSL, same as you.
I don't think theres necessarily anything wrong with frequent cellphone use - its convenient to be able to organise things on the fly, and its a major boost to personal safety. These people who get upset could have perfectly logical reasons for being so - dying-relative-in-hospital, waiting on the results of an important job interview, etc. I'd have been screwed without a mobile while working for the temp agency, because they always called last-minute when they needed someone. People who compulsively call their friends to talk about nothing are idiots, sure, but you're overgeneralising pretty badly there.
I didn't have a phone plugged into mine when I lived alone, I do now. It used to confuse the hell out of companies like my bank, or my university.
"I need your phone number,"
"Well, I do have one, but no phone,"
"What?"
I generally do everything online now. Which is proving to be a problem, since I needed to open a new bank account. I've had to call Scottish Power and my current bank to get them to send out copies of my bills and statements, so I can use them as documentary evidence of my address and income, lengthening the whole process by a couple of weeks.
EDIT:
Because it takes time for the free market to decide which technology is better. Rest assured that you only get the best two generation old technology.
1) I use it as a watch.
2) I don't have a land line.
Plus, it's really just the way college kids communicate. Should we get off your lawn?
It is nice to have should an emergency situation come up when on the road. But I am in no way dependent on it. I actually kind of regret acquiring a cell phone. I lasted until age 26 without one...
I still tell people I don't have a landline though, because I just don't want to use it for calls. Not like I'm home during business hours anyway.
I would rather that the US free market decide what we get rather than the South Korean market decide for us. And even then, when great phones are released in the US, you can rarely get them with a 2-year plan. You have to dish out way more to buy it unlocked.
I think considering it necessary to live and becoming seriously agitated with not having it for a few days is not healthy. That's classic dependence. I mean sure, security blankets are cool and all, but at least be cool with admitting to yourself that you're using it as such. *shrug*
That would bother me.
I was commenting on the inability of a completely free market to ever standardise on anything. The broadcast technology behind a mobile phone network is not something that's likely to ever affect the average consumer, so as long as someone picks something, it isn't important what. It's the reason I can buy a £20 handset that works with any provider instead of having a choice of £120 handsets that only work with one.
You're really being unneccesarily disparaging here. Part of the reason its become more and more important to have a cellphone is that everyone else expects you to. People get in trouble from superiors, clients, relatives, friends, for not being sufficiently available. If you want to rail against that, go ahead - I think a lot of people fail to set appropriate boundaries in that department - but this snide bullshit about 'safety blankets' is really stupid. There's nothing wrong with being safe
What pisses me off about cell phone companies in general is the huge fee they charge you FOR DROPPING THEIR PRODUCT if you have a yearly plan. Seems stupid.
I was commenting on the inability of a completely free market to ever standardise on anything. The broadcast technology behind a mobile phone network is not something that's likely to ever affect the average consumer, so as long as someone picks something, it isn't important what. It's the reason I can buy a £20 handset that works with any provider instead of having a choice of £120 handsets that only work with one.[/QUOTE]
America is very much behind the rest of the world in this sense. I know that in parts of the world, you can buy a disposable cell phone from a vending machine and it will have amazing reception. No contracts, no obligation, and usually you get your hands a neat little product. The problem here is that the industry (name your provider, its pretty much the same) has put a metaphoric blindfold over the consumer since the 90's.
"Here, we'll GIVE you this phone at no/low cost if you sign up with us!" Honestly, it is A MUCH BETTER DEAL to pay 100-200 dollars for a phone that is unlocked and CHOOSE you're service provider w/o signing a contract. If you cancel your service in contract, you're going to be penalized apx $200 anyway.
The other problem though, is lack of GSM service providers. Sure, you can get an unlocked phone, but typically they are only going to work with one type of technology, unless you really shell out the cash. So even if i get my unlocked phone, and i'm T-Mobile. Once i change my mind to go with Verizon, i need a new phone.
Pretty much everywhere else in the world is GSM, so the idea of just buying an unlocked phone at a higher price makes more sense.
Also, i'm picking up what you're puttin' down Cat, but what i think i'm getting at is that the technology can get a pretty tight grip on its user; even more so than the internet it seems! (i know that's a pretty big statement to make). I wonder how we lived before this technology came around...*ponders*
I like to think I have the best of both worlds. A Pay-as-you-go mobile where the cost of my calls are charged by direct debit at the end of every month. I don't have to "top up" my credit at an ATM or by buying vouchers (though I still can if I want to), If I don't use it, I don't pay. If I get a SIM card from another provider and use that instead, I suffer no penalty (handy for overseas travel).
Given such a thing exists, I'm not entirely sure why people sign up for plans that cost money if you don't use the phone, and prevent you from switching providers.
What the hell kind of pay-as-you-go deals do you get in the States? I get charged for making calls and sending texts. That's it. Receiving calls, texts and retrieving Voicemail are free.
Thats the time when I use my phone the most anyways. Also free texting is good, thats the main way I communicate with my parents. Screw long distance bills.
Yar. It's like that "what would you do if it all stopped working" thread. Modern technology is crucial to a modern lifestyle. People — well, most people — aren't going to fall over and die without a cell phone, but it does mean changing the way you interface with society. You wouldn't say that a soldier is overly reliant on rifles, or a commuter on public transportation, or a hunter/gatherer on spears, because that's crazy. He'll find another way to feed himself, but if you take away his spear, he'll be upset, and you wouldn't say "It's just a spear ya big baby, haven't you ever heard of rocks? Kids these days."
There's really no need to be dickish about it. Fine, you couldn't live without your phone. Your Earth would be shattered.
I'm getting too old for these boards.
...if you'd bothered reading any of my other posts, you'd have realised I'm not one of those people. Asshole.
ALL of that was charged under the plan I had. Unless you only use it for emergencies or something, pay as you go really isn't feasible.