Calling my mobile carrier just now to modify my services brought to the forefront some interesting considerations.
My main purpose was to disable call messaging (voice mail): I haven't checked my voice mailbox, I am not exaggerating, in a year. Further more, hearing my phone ring and then hearing the SMS notification that someone has left me a voicemail message is the single most annoying thing in my life at the moment.
So I put aside procrastination and called in to cancel that service outright. Feels good to finally scratch an itch. ;)
Anyway, I ask to have my services listed. Voice Mail and Caller ID at $9/mth and Internet at $20/mth.
Internet? Are you kidding me? On your shitty slow GPRS? I've got WiFi on this thing!
Five minutes later I am left with the carrier's most basic voice service package and Caller ID (am I the call screener from hell, an under-appreciated trait acquired from an ex-gf).
Moral of the story:
As the variety and usefulness of access to various communication interfaces (cell frequencies & protocols [such as GSM 850/900/1800/1900, 3G W-CDMA, 4G etc], "computer networking" frequencies and protocols [WiFi, WiMax, etc], personal area networking frequencies & protocols [BlueTooth, UWB]) my mobile device can handle increases, my need for a "POTS" "cellphone service provider" dwindles.
Duh. Lots of people have been talking about this for a while now... but until you actually experience it...
Also, cheaper is misleading: the handset cost a small fortune. ;)
