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To: sylvester80 who wrote (30)5/18/2012 1:27:00 PM
From: Lahcim Leinad  Respond to of 163
 
Android and Windows Phone should be the big winners if the subsidies are removed.
I'm with Ralph de la Vega on that:
AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega suggests the Windows Phone platform may see a significant boost from Microsoft's Windows 8 OS when it arrives on the market. Speaking at the JP Morgan technology conference, the executive noted that he was "very upbeat about what they are bringing to the market."

"When they come out with Windows 8 in the fourth quarter, I think it will actually add to the value that that OS brings to the marketplace," said de la Vega. "In that that will be the first time that you can truly have a similar experience on your PC, on your table, and on your smartphone from Microsoft."

Read more: electronista.com



To: sylvester80 who wrote (30)5/18/2012 2:31:26 PM
From: ChrisGillette  Read Replies (3) | Respond to of 163
 
<<If you remove the hidden subsidies and customers see the price they'll have to pay for the iPhone, Windows phone and Android, the iPhone will lose every time>>

Why isn't this already the case? I recall in the old days (10 years ago?), I could buy a phone for -$200. Basically, companies like T-Mobile were paying customers to sign up for a 12-month contract and to opt for a lower-priced phone.

Today, it seems to go something like this (actual numbers could be wrong....just trying to show concept):
* Full cost of iPhone: $600. Discounted price: $200 (i.e., carrier is offering $400 subsidy)
* Full cost of cheaper alternative: $300. Discounted price $100 (i.e., carrier is offering $200 subsidy)

If the carrier wanted to, it could offer a negatively-priced phone by offering the same $400 subsidy given to the iPhone. For whatever reason, carriers are opting not to do this. And to the extent that carriers continue to offer more generous subsidies for the iPhone, most consumers will likely choose the iPhone (If I'm paying essentially the same price after discount, I might as well get the iPhone since it has more apps, better brand name, etc)