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Boycott Vodafone! |
amagab
Joined: Oct 29, 2002
Posts: > 500
PM |
You have probably noticed that some new models from Sony Ericsson, Blackberry, and others are only sold with Vodafone branding. Yes, that sucks for all others who want that phone and it sucks for the manufacturers who can only sell it to Vodafone!
Todays issue of Wall Street Journal has an article about just that. It turns out that Vodafone, being the big boy on the block, is putting a squeeze on the world's cellular phone manufacturers.
In short: Vodafone put an ultimatum to SE, Nokia, Motorola, and others, that, "if you don't provide Vodafone with phones that have the features we want we will not buy from you again."
This sucks!
If you care about a free market you do have the power to boycott Vodafone and go with other mobile phone providers that adhere to a free market.
Thanks!
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masseur
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Sydney, London
PM |
however you don't have to buy branded phones... you still have the choice and I never buy branded phones because I choose not to, well except for the V800 which I will only be using on the vodafone 3G network anyway
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jcwhite_uk
Joined: Feb 18, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Dorset, UK Phone:Xperia Z1
PM, WWW
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Nice idea of boycotting Vodafone but I dont think that the toatal Esato membership boycotting Vodafone would really make much difference as a lot of the members here dont use Vodafone anyway.
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amagab
Joined: Oct 29, 2002
Posts: > 500
PM |
Quote:
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On 2004-11-12 17:06:02, masseur wrote:
however you don't have to buy branded phones... you still have the choice and I never buy branded phones because I choose not to, well except for the V800 which I will only be using on the vodafone 3G network anyway
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That's what I'm saying! If we stop buying branded phones (especially Vodafone) then they won't bug the mobile phone manufacturers anymore.
I really want to get a V800 but I don't want Vodafone. So my only option is to get an illegal version if that is possible, because I assume SE won't break their contract with Vodafone.
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[ This Message was edited by: amagab on 2004-11-12 16:22 ] |
masseur
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Sydney, London
PM |
sorry, I think I missed half my point which is that if you want a subsidised phone then you should be prepared to accept the branding of the phone company that you are buying from. I don't think that is totally unreasonable however I do think there should be the option, as with unlocking, that after the contract period it should be possible to have the phone unbranded officially if you choose to do so
I really wonder how many people-in-the-street even worry about this issue, or is it more for people like us who come to forums because we have a higher level of interest in the matters
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Sony Ericsson Indonesia
Joined: Oct 08, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: Sony Ericsson Land
PM |
dont worry, vodafone only gets the v800 first but sony ericsson will release it to everyone once vodaphone gives them the ok |
goldenface
Joined: Dec 17, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Liverpool City Centre
PM |
It doesn't make sense for SE to lease the V800 exclusive to vodafone. It will become available to all. I had a demo of the phone today and I was impressed but the branding was ruinous. It is hard to tell that SE have even designed this with clam closed.
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methylated_spirit
Joined: Jul 07, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Bonnie Scotland
PM |
I for one wont be boycotting vodafone...they have unbranded phones too, you know! You just got to ask nicely.
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U.G.L.Y. You ain't got no alibi, you ugly! |
amagab
Joined: Oct 29, 2002
Posts: > 500
PM |
I like T-Mobile USA policy. They put their logo on the phone and then when you've been their customer for about 3 months you can just call them and get the phone unlocked. However, my first option is to buy an unlocked, unbranded phone. I've had way too many bad experiences with bad service providers. I do hope that V800 will be sold unbranded and that it doesn't take too long.
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amagab
Joined: Oct 29, 2002
Posts: > 500
PM |
The branding is not the problem.
What I dislike is that Vodafone has the power to monopolize the phone models.
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msmmsm
Joined: Sep 03, 2003
Posts: 187
From: Edinburgh
PM |
Vodaphone have spent £billions on getting the License's for 3g, and getting to the market first ( apart from 3) . Annoying how it is, getting a few exclusive phones along the way is just business, im sure any operator would have done the same thing.
Im sure all the main manufacturers wanted a 3g phone to show off at the launch of 3g, better having an exclusive V800 for a few months than no 3g phone at all. Im surprised how late the V800 was anounced and it's still out before the Z1010. |
RichLok
Joined: Jun 06, 2002
Posts: 331
From: Los Angeles, CA
PM |
I'm pretty sure every company does it now and then. Cingular just launched the v3 and the v551 (cousin of the v525) and it's a Cingular exclusive phone for the first 100 days. Rumor has it that the SE s710a will also be a Cingular exclusive when it launches. They do it to try to attract new customers while retaining current ones that have their contracts expired. Especially after forking over $41 Billion dollars to purchase AT&T wireless. |
amagab
Joined: Oct 29, 2002
Posts: > 500
PM |
Well, I think auctioning off the 3G licenses in Europe was a MAJOR mistake by the governments....it sure put the providers in a hole and I think the race to be first just makes it worse.
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Posted: 2004-11-12 17:01
