Granted, this is not originally my idea, but I cannot find where I read about it, so please get in touch with me if you know the source.
My frustration with mobile phone networks is growing. My own provider does a few nasty things:
- Voice mail setup is idiotic: you have to enter your password even if the call dropped and you get in again; you have to listen through the introductory message even though you know the menu options
- Contracts are bizarre: if you like the two year option, you'll be happy, but why?
- Surcharges are unreasonable: come on, I get 5000 free minutes, but you charge me per SMS? How stupid do you think I am?
- Features are crippled: how come my phone can play my MP3 all day long, but I have to use your (expensive) MP3 for ring tones?
Of course, the answer to all these deficiencies is that it's a way for the carriers to make more money. they compete on the base price, and jack up the charges for anything they consider non-standard.