Free Computers—A Voice For The True Silent Majority
Free?
Yes. Free. Sort of.
Remember when cell phones cost $1,500.00? I actually remember some original deals going for upwards of $3,000.00! Those were the days. Those 'portable' phones were the ultimate working tools for the business person of the time. Sort of. They were true marvels guaranteed to work everywhere in the city except the central business district. Really. It was awful.
But time (and huge volume sales) have a way of driving down the cost of manufacturing and distribution, and driving up the availability of connectivity. Cell phones have been commoditized to the point of irrelevance. The profit model in telecommunications has to do with connectivity, access distribution and network licensing. Open a new wireless account these days and chances are you'll end up with a decent airtime package along with a 'free' phone. Nice. The cost of the phone is built into the airtime package and all of the service providers expect you to sign a one year contract at least. Nonetheless, even airtime rates have dropped to the point where the phone still 'feels' free. It's a great match.
Are free computers offered with high speed Internet access accounts the next golden pair? More . . .
Yes. Free. Sort of.
Remember when cell phones cost $1,500.00? I actually remember some original deals going for upwards of $3,000.00! Those were the days. Those 'portable' phones were the ultimate working tools for the business person of the time. Sort of. They were true marvels guaranteed to work everywhere in the city except the central business district. Really. It was awful.
But time (and huge volume sales) have a way of driving down the cost of manufacturing and distribution, and driving up the availability of connectivity. Cell phones have been commoditized to the point of irrelevance. The profit model in telecommunications has to do with connectivity, access distribution and network licensing. Open a new wireless account these days and chances are you'll end up with a decent airtime package along with a 'free' phone. Nice. The cost of the phone is built into the airtime package and all of the service providers expect you to sign a one year contract at least. Nonetheless, even airtime rates have dropped to the point where the phone still 'feels' free. It's a great match.
Are free computers offered with high speed Internet access accounts the next golden pair? More . . .
posted by Howard Carson, Managing Editor @ 10:57 PM
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