Google single handedly started the push to get the USA market to where the EU and Asia have been for ages

I feel bad for you people in America. All your networks suck, well except maybe for Verizon, your voice, SMS and data rates are ridiculously expensive, and you have to wait an inordinate amount time to get devices that are already shipping in Europe or Asia because your operators want complete and total control over the “user experience”. The Nexus One announcement, boring as it may have been since most everything of importance has already been leaked weeks in advance, ushered in a new way for Americans to purchase their devices.

Buying a mobile phone unlocked is the norm in Europe. Picking which operator you want for said device is considered the obvious next step too since all operators offer the same devices, but most people just go the unlocked route anyway, pay full unsubsidized retail prices, and then simply purchase a SIM card. I’ve said all this before, but haven’t for a while, and since then we’ve gained a lot of new readers.

I’m just trying to throw some perspective here, especially since sites like TechCrunch are hailing this like the next big thing. Now listen, Google trying to push the USA to the EU and Asia models of purchasing devices and services can only be a good thing. Most people I know here in Finland have a drawer full of unlocked phones they’ve purchased over the years, and I can say the same for my friends in Denmark, Italy, Spain and the UK. Why is that? They purchase new devices when they see a new awesome phone come out, without second guessing about how many more months they’re locked into some silly 2 year contract. Switching to a new operator is also as simple as picking up a new SIM card, porting your number if you want the same number that is, and popping it into your phone.

Now when the hell is Apple going to start selling the iPhone unlocked in the USA?

About The Author

Stefan Constantinescu

Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.

david pitkin

Stefan, it won’t work here. In Europe all devices are required to use one over the air technology on the same frequencies.

Here in the United States we carved up our airwaves in a way that benefits the carrier (by preventing switching easily)

That plus easy credit/high wealth means that few people are on pre-paid accounts (which also favor devices)

Sorry but unlocked for swiching devices are a non-starter unless all the carriers change.

And for getting the latest devices, someone buying a 500-600 dollar phone can’t afford a 200 ETF and another subsidized phone well I guess the hassle is pretty huge, at least a few hours of dealing with the carriers so I buy that.
Robb Dunewood

As far as Apple is concerned, I don’t see them offering an unlocked iPhone in the U.S. until the law tells them that they have to do so. They simply have to much control the way things are now.
Matt

I have been using unlocked phones in the US for a couple years now, and, honestly it sucks because of what David said…you do not have a choice of carriers. What is mind-boggling about the Google announcement is that the unlocked phone only supports 3G on one carrier. So, what is the point? The FCC dropped the ball and let carriers run wild over here making locked phones the only real option. Hopefully, we will have more choices when 4G rolls around. But, as for 3G phones, we are screwed.
bigdon

My friend you’re making one big mistake here: about 70% of the folks in the USA have no dough to go ahead a buy an unlocked phone. That’s why there are a gazillion of them still without health coverage! Most Americans buy a cell service plan that comes with a free phone, there are about 30% that could afford an extra 100-200 bucks for an upgraded phone. Don’t forget that people in the USA don’t even go on vacation. There might be a weekend here and there to Vegas flown on SouthWestern Airlines or JetBlue, cramped in a hotel room with 5 buddies while most of them maxing out their credit cards but that’s it. So, assuming that they can just go ahead and buy a phone unsubsidized is just foolish to think, and btw you can buy unlocked iphones, N97s, Blackberries etc. but noone buys them because nobody’s got any money in that continent! About 75% of the people there have no savings what so ever and about 70% live on a paycheck to paycheck basis. That capitalistic system over there has sucked the people dry and given everything imaginable to the top 10%.
Andre

@david
It will work here, as soon as all the carriers in the US switch over to using LTE for voice and data it will be just as easy and simple as it is in Europe for users to buy unlocked phones and then choose carriers as they please. I for one cannot wait for this as I’ve felt like I’m being shafted by the sad state of affairs in the US telco industry.
Kedoin

I’d like to think LTE will be the technology that makes the US cell market useful for unlocked phones, but is that a realistic hope? Both at&t and T-Mobile use GSM, but as everyone points out the 3G frequencies are different.

When we say everyone’s going to use LTE, is there any reason to assume their all going to use LTE in the 700MHz space that Verizon is starting to roll out? Or will we have a different set of frequencies for each carrier all over again?
vasra

70% of the US citizens are financially illiterate.

It’s *cheaper* to buy a phone and a service you want – separately.

That is, if you are given the option.

This is a fact in 99% of the EU countries where phones and contracts are unbundled.

You always pay more (through your nose, usually) by getting a “free phone” by buying a contract that bleeds you dry on the features, on the price of the phone and credit protection the operator is buying.

Remember what your mama told you:

“There’s no free lunch.”

Not in the US, not in the EU, nor anywhere else.

Free competition between easily switchable carriers and unlocked phones (multi-band, multi-network) is the only one thing that brings consumer prices down.

Everything else is just marketing and price gimmickry with hidden costs. Always.
wmserver

I used to buy unlock phone but it is not what it’s cut out to be unless I get a rate plan that is lower than subsidized plan.
Plus, I ask myself how often do I switch carrier?
David McCormack

This might be the case in continental Europe but for the 70+ million people in Ireland and the UK, locked devices are the norm. You can get them unlocked but there’s almost always a charge if you’re still within the contract period (though a standard trick is to convince them you’re visiting a country in which they don’t have a roaming partner).