Prepaid Wireless users top 100 million in US. Really?

**knowbody09** · 08-14-2012, 01:58 AM

http://go.bloomberg.com/tech-blog/20...lion-report-sa

If this is correct, it will mean that the US wireless market may actually become like the EU's or Asia where prepaid dominates...

**billm261** · 08-14-2012, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by knowbody09

If this is correct, it will mean that the US wireless market may actually become like the EU's or Asia where prepaid dominates...

I don't think so.

I think it's more about people still going bust, having to make tough financial choices and unable to escape this terrible recession that continues to linger on.

**cooter55** · 08-19-2012, 05:09 PM

yeap it is true.not everyone can afford those $100 a month plans.to many choices in the pre pay markit.there is a plan for everyone.

**johnhere** · 08-19-2012, 05:22 PM

Especially now with the new plans giving only one line for $100 after tax and fees.

**billm261** · 08-19-2012, 05:42 PM

I can remember having 150.00 a months bills (not all that long ago) just for voice minutes and nothing else.

If one can find value in prepaid, it's hard to beat.

**BetterOfDead** · 08-19-2012, 05:57 PM

Well with metro pcs, apparently you can get 4 lines for $100.
Sent from my SGH-i677 using Board Express

**cooter55** · 08-19-2012, 10:01 PM

it is great,only down side is the at&t mvno is having a rough time right now.basicly growing pains.

**IsLand_BoY** · 08-20-2012, 02:03 AM

Originally Posted by billm261

I don't think so.

I think it's more about people still going bust, having to make tough financial choices and unable to escape this terrible recession that continues to linger on.

I don't know about that. I'd be on prepaid if I didn't have my grandfathered plan on T-Mo. I have excellent credit and can afford $200/mo for my family plan but I just don't want to pay it. Same goes for a couple people I put on prepaid. They can afford a monthly plan but prepaid suits them fine and they love the simplicity.

I'm glad that prepaid is gaining popularity. I really don't like that the postpaid market is moving toward unlimited voice and shared data.

**billm261** · 08-21-2012, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by IsLand_BoY

I'm glad that prepaid is gaining popularity. I really don't like that the postpaid market is moving toward unlimited voice and shared data.

Well your right too. I can afford it also (I even write it off 100%) but I get no value at the moment on postpaid.

I giggle that I have 3 plans on prepaid for just around 100.00 a month total.

**IsLand_BoY** · 08-21-2012, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by billm261

Well your right too. I can afford it also (I even write it off 100%) but I get no value at the moment on postpaid.

I giggle that I have 3 plans on prepaid for just around 100.00 a month total.

Yep.. I'm really pleased to have my T-Mo phone, Ting phone, and two TracFones for less than people pay for one line. I just like the feeling of getting the most for my money.

Prepaid is a tremendous value these days. My retired ex-coworker is thrilled that I just add $25-50 a year to her Gold Rewards T-Mo account. She didn't have a cell phone til she met me and I told her how cheap prepaid is for her low usage. I'm sure her kids feel better that their mom has a phone when she drives to the mall or goes walking.

Sent from my Huawei myTouch Q

**noelm** · 08-24-2012, 09:42 AM

I am not surprised. The way this market is set up makes it really tough to get your own phone because majority of the folks are not interested in shelling out >$300 for phone at once. So contract looks like layaway thing and folks get it.

In the other countries around the world I have lived, I always had a contract as it was always cheap for my use there and free incoming calls and text was the greatest feature. The profit margins were reasonable and the network coverage was awesome. None of this happens in the US, in spite of the fact that everyone pays through their nose. So now that the folks realize this, added by the economy as it is, many are switching to prepaid. I really want to mention Sweden and India here. The coverage is so awesome (and I hated that time) that my boss could always get hold of me, even if I am in Stockholm subway or remote corner of India.

Secondly, we are a society that is very materialistic. We want cars, phones and stuff that we can't actually afford (agree, not ALL of us but many) so I guess, now many are realizing that party is not going to last long !!

But I am really happy to learn this number. I hope, carriers like Republic Wireless get their technology up and running smoothly, so that we can go back to contracts.

**pattyrn** · 08-31-2012, 10:43 PM

There might be a few of us with more than one prepaid phone.

**vmobi** · 08-31-2012, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by noelm

I am not surprised. The way this market is set up makes it really tough to get your own phone because majority of the folks are not interested in shelling out >$300 for phone at once. So contract looks like layaway thing and folks get it.

In the other countries around the world I have lived, I always had a contract as it was always cheap for my use there and free incoming calls and text was the greatest feature. The profit margins were reasonable and the network coverage was awesome. None of this happens in the US, in spite of the fact that everyone pays through their nose. So now that the folks realize this, added by the economy as it is, many are switching to prepaid. I really want to mention Sweden and India here. The coverage is so awesome (and I hated that time) that my boss could always get hold of me, even if I am in Stockholm subway or remote corner of India.

Secondly, we are a society that is very materialistic. We want cars, phones and stuff that we can't actually afford (agree, not ALL of us but many) so I guess, now many are realizing that party is not going to last long !!

But I am really happy to learn this number. I hope, carriers like Republic Wireless get their technology up and running smoothly, so that we can go back to contracts.

There will always be a place for contract wireless, it's the only way, for people that can not afford premium prepaid devices, to obtain such devices. Think of wireless contracts as the new high risk option for subscribers to obtain a premium device. Sure It will cost more for contract wireless subscribers to enjoy wireless services and devices, but at the end of the day their limited resources will not continue to keep them from using high end smartphones and services. It does seem rather unfortunate, for contract wireless subscribers, that the major carriers continue to limit their service options. They continue to be cornered into limited service options that usually include service features that they may not need, or use, but are still forced to pay for. Those are the tough breaks contract wireless subscribers have to live with. However there is a bright side for those subscribers that choose to use contract wireless service options, they can now show the world just how smart they are to be bound to their specific carrier, regardless of how unfair their wireless service agreement may be. Not to mention, if contract wireless subscribers choose to suddenly switch to another contract based wireless service provider, they will have to pay a fee for the right to choose a different service provider or face the unpleasant consequence of a damaged credit history and the associated negative effects that can result from it.

CON-tract wireless service... No Thanks.

**Bob859** · 09-01-2012, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by pattyrn

There might be a few of us with more than one prepaid phone.

Yep. I have about six.

**johnhere** · 09-01-2012, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by noelm

I am not surprised. The way this market is set up makes it really tough to get your own phone because majority of the folks are not interested in shelling out >$300 for phone at once. So contract looks like layaway thing and folks get it.

In the other countries around the world I have lived, I always had a contract as it was always cheap for my use there and free incoming calls and text was the greatest feature. The profit margins were reasonable and the network coverage was awesome. None of this happens in the US, in spite of the fact that everyone pays through their nose. So now that the folks realize this, added by the economy as it is, many are switching to prepaid. I really want to mention Sweden and India here. The coverage is so awesome (and I hated that time) that my boss could always get hold of me, even if I am in Stockholm subway or remote corner of India.

Secondly, we are a society that is very materialistic. We want cars, phones and stuff that we can't actually afford (agree, not ALL of us but many) so I guess, now many are realizing that party is not going to last long !!

But I am really happy to learn this number. I hope, carriers like Republic Wireless get their technology up and running smoothly, so that we can go back to contracts.

I agree about the prices and coverage in many other countries. Every other country I've lived in had great coverage and decent prices. My buddies in Europe tease me about the vz lte outages with the high price I'm paying. They can't believe how unreliable cell service is in the us.