Notes on Verizon and Nokia
I noticed interest in the possibility that Verizon now offers a Nokia phone on some of the message boards today(6 Oct 2000). I just checked with the Verizon store in my southern California city. They do not have any Nokia phones in this area. Only have Qualcomm/Kyocera, Audiovox, and Motorola. If they have other brands, I missed them or have forgotten. The young man I talked seemed to be very knowledgeable on the status of Nokia and Verizon. He said that they had offered one Nokia model for a while in the past but it was not compatible with their CDMA network, and had only worked satisfactorily with their analog service. He said they had a Nokia phone in test at this time but he did not think it had been accepted yet. I asked him if it may be in use on the Verizon system in other areas since I had seen something to this effect on the internet. He said it may be in use in other areas but he had not heard that it had passed the tests.
Verizon had the QCP 860 as a special until 2 Oct 2000, the special at this time is the Kyocera QCP 2035A. It was in the paper as costing only $35 net cost but the display in the store had it as $70 net cost after an instant rebate of $150. Retail price is $220 and you have to pay the state sales tax on the retail price.
For years, there have been several ads in almost every issue of the local papers, offering the latest "good deal" on a cell phone. Many stores, such as electronic stores and office supply stores have a display of cell phones. Companies include ATT, Pacific Bell, Sprint, Nextel and Verizon. One recent offer by Verizon, was a free QCP 860, 200 anytime minutes, 500 night and weekend minutes and 1000 mobile to mobile minutes free every month with a one year contract for $35 per month. Their list price for the 860 was $170 and all a new customer had to pay was the state sales tax of $12. They want a driver's license, social security number or $1000 deposit to open the account. No need of your signature, which seems strange. At the same time, the Radio Shack store across the parking lot, offered Verizon service but wanted $300 for the QCP 860, because it was "internet ready". They did offer a $60 mail in rebate on the 860.
Verizon offers internet access for $7 per month.
My take on cell phone use in this area.
Cellular service in Southern California has evolved in the last several years. I remember the first driver I saw on the freeway using a cell phone. The car was moving about 2 feet into the lanes on both sides of the car and was doing about 50 MPH in light freeway traffic. Deciding that I best keep an eye on that car, I found that it was a middle aged woman using a cell phone. Since the car had markings on the door for a large real estate company, I figured she must be in the middle of her next big sale. Now, I find myself surrounded by drivers with a cell phone pressed to an ear with most seeming to drive quite well in heavy traffic moving at up to 70 miles per hour. It is very common to see several people using cell phones while shopping in the malls and stores. Most people, who appear to workmen, have cell phones on their belts. Some phones seem to very dusty or coated with concrete, so you know they keep them nearby as they work.
Last week, I watched a male, mid thirties, wading in the Pacific Ocean up to his knees, throwing a stick to his dog with his right hand and holding his left ear with the other hand. Then, I saw he was using a cell phone, since every few minutes, he would lower his left hand, watch the cell phone while he ran his thumb over the buttons and then raise his left hand back to his ear. Last night one of the ladies on my street was using a cell phone while walking her dog. We each walk about a mile every night and see each other several times during the walk. It seemed like she was on the phone the whole time and it was the first time I had seen her with a cell phone. I wanted to ask her about it but she was on the phone each time we passed. Usage seems to growing in this area. |
