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>T-Mobile has always tried to separate itself from regular telecoms, but charging customers for essentially nothing doesn't sound very Uncarrier-like It seems
by LordDragonfang 4y ago
>T-Mobile has always tried to separate itself from regular telecoms, but charging customers for essentially nothing doesn't sound very Uncarrier-like
It seems weird to call the process which is literally essential to using a device on the network "essentially nothing".
The unstated assumption might be that T-Mobile is charging for something that costs them nothing, but that also seems a little presumptuous. I assume there have to be some fixed costs associated with registering a device to properly authenticate with every bit of transmitter hardware on the network, plus KYC burdens - otherwise, T-Mobile has no incentive to introduce friction costs for new customers.
- markus92 4y agoThey even gonna charge it for device exchanges. Like what, $35 for popping a SIM into a different phone? What is the cost there for them? It shouldn't even matter to the network.
- CharlieDigital 4y ago> It seems weird to call the process which is literally essential to using a device on the network "essentially nothing" It should all be automated and if it's not, their CTO should be fired. Activating phones is literally step one to get customers on a 24 month cycle of predictable, recurring revenue. If you can't make that seamless and low friction, then you should not even be in the business of selling cellular plans.
- nonethewiser 4y ago> It seems weird to call the process which is literally essential to using a device on the network "essentially nothing". Essential, yes. But it's like a restaurant charging a cover to order food. Why make it harder for someone to give you money? It's possible that it still makes financial sense for them, but it's a barrier none-the-less.
- s3p 4y agoRegardless of any fixed costs, TMobile will easily make up for it in the long run with their expensive monthly plans.