t-mobile bans user's own apps

Andreas Kostyrka andreas at kostyrka.org
Wed Feb 28 15:24:31 CET 2007


Well, as stupid that sounds, without signing a contract, you won't get
a SIM from them. And I do know, that there are really stupid carriers
(e.g. drei.at) that insist on the 24-months contract binding time,
even if you don't take the subsidy. Guess the US carriers are even
more evil, because they in fact have no regulation nor competition to
reign them in.

(btw, using a prepaid card involves legally speaking a contract too,
it's just that the contract is not signed, only executed by doing.
Plus prepaid data costs are not very attractive.)

Andreas


* Steven ** <montgoss+openmokocommunity at gmail.com> [070228 15:05]:
> Why would you sign a contract?  My understanding was that the only
> benefit to a contract was a subsidized phone.  If you're using the
> Neo1973, you're not going to need that crippled, subsidized phone.
> Then, since you're not bound by a ridiculous contract, you could
> switch to another provider if they tried to restrict your data usage.
> 
> -Steven
> 
> On 2/27/07, Wolfgang S. Rupprecht <wolfgang at wsrcc.com> wrote:
> >
> >The part that scares me about the "Data Connect" is the wording at the
> >top-level data page that includes the phrase "Requires usage with a
> >Cingular Wireless PDA."
> >
> >    http://www.cingular.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/data-cell-phone-plans.jsp?_requestid=82997&_requestid=104169
> >
> >     "Data Connect
> >
> >     Access your e-mail, corporate intranet, and the Internet while on
> >     the go by wirelessly connecting your PDA to the
> >     Internet. Requires usage with a Cingular Wireless PDA. Service is
> >     not available at all times in all places. View Map and Coverage
> >     Limitations.  View all 4 Data Connect Cingular Plans"
> >
> >I'm a bit worried that they will accept the 2-contract only to turn
> >around after a few weeks and point out that this plan only allows me
> >to use a Cingular PDA.
> >
> >The "Smartphone Connect" only talks about "browsing the internet".
> >That has the potential liability that they only allow a proxied
> >port-80/tcp connection and nothing else.
> >
> >Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but I recall the same thing
> >happened with cable internet service.  "Running a server" initially
> >just meant running a server that was serving lots of people.  Before
> >the year was over it came to mean running your own sendmail which only
> >accepted mail for yourself.
> >
> >-wolfgang
> >
> >
> >Steven ** writes:
> >> Seems like you'd want either the "Data Connect" plan
> >> (http://www.cingular.com/cell-phone-service//cell-phone-plans/data-connect-plans.jsp)
> >> or the "Smartphone Connect" plan
> >> (http://www.cingular.com/cell-phone-service//cell-phone-plans/smartphone-connect-plans.jsp).
> >> I'd go with the "Smartphone Connect" unlimited for $20.
> >--
> >Wolfgang S. Rupprecht  <wolfgang at wsrcc.com>  http://www.wsrcc.com/wolfgang/
> >   sip:wsr at wsrcc.com                             ISN: 6001*308
> >
> 
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