On Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:37:40 -0600, Todd Allcock
<elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in <evkegd$htb$1@aioe.org>:

>At 11 Apr 2007 21:37:09 +0000 John Navas wrote:
>
>> >Just like they are trying to discourage text messaging
>> >without a monthly texting plan.
>>
>> They are just trying to make it financially viable.
>
>Surrrre. Texting is the absolutely most cost-effective method of
>cellular communication for the carrier. It is overpriced, as most
>ancillary wireless services are, to compensate for the hyper-competitive
>pricing in voice plans. (Which is fine with me- any service I don't
>regularly use that subsidizes services I do benefits me!) ;-)

What you seem to be missing is the cost and difficulty of micropayments.
It's much more efficient to sell a package than to sell each micro part
of that package. That's a big part of why things are so much cheaper in
Costco on a unit basis than they are in conventional retailers. Costco
couldn't afford to sell them at that price one-by-one.

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>