Comments on: A clash of cultures.. http://www.edparsons.com/2008/07/a-clash-of-cultures/ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:39:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Rob http://www.edparsons.com/2008/07/a-clash-of-cultures/#comment-151786 Rob Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:16:19 +0000 http://www.edparsons.com/?p=506#comment-151786 Is the subsidy a useful tool for the network operator forcing lock in? Or an expensive pain in the rear, a hang over from the days when mobile phones were novelty and unproven, and the subsidy made the sale? I think it might be a case of the latter? The network operators find themselves in a bind, as the western consumer all too often chooses to buy now and pay later. As you say, Apple did have the chance to change this, but those who demand payment upfront will lose in the short term; of course as markets the world are now learning, someday, everyone has to pay up. Is the subsidy a useful tool for the network operator forcing lock in? Or an expensive pain in the rear, a hang over from the days when mobile phones were novelty and unproven, and the subsidy made the sale?

I think it might be a case of the latter?

The network operators find themselves in a bind, as the western consumer all too often chooses to buy now and pay later. As you say, Apple did have the chance to change this, but those who demand payment upfront will lose in the short term; of course as markets the world are now learning, someday, everyone has to pay up.

]]> By: edparsons.com » Blog Archive » Apple censors iPhone forum http://www.edparsons.com/2008/07/a-clash-of-cultures/#comment-151772 edparsons.com » Blog Archive » Apple censors iPhone forum Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:34:54 +0000 http://www.edparsons.com/?p=506#comment-151772 [...] more of the ways of the mobile industry is rubbing off on the once shinny Apple [...] [...] more of the ways of the mobile industry is rubbing off on the once shinny Apple [...]

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