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Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Re-Chargeable SIM Card Vending Machines
Why Are We so Far Behind Dept: Um, don't bother answering, we all can guess at the reasons, but here's the cool fact, this guy on PenguinSix.com had this to report:

"In Tsim Sha Shui, just over the Star Ferry from Hong Kong Island, I came across this new vending machine in the subway station of all places. It's selling SIM cards for mobile phones, both the GSM and the CDMA variety (for those visiting China and wishing to have CDMA). Cards cost, mostly $98HK which is about $13 USA. Almost all Hong Kong phones are sold 'unlocked' meaning you can switch SIM cards at will. I was able to unlock my USA T-Mobile phone before I left, and now have SIM cards for the US, UK, Germany and Hong Kong. I think there is a market for a SIM card holder as they are always bouncing around in my wallet.

"Will we ever get to this point in the USA where a phone is as easy a pack of gum? I hope so, but as long as the big carriers 'lock' mobile phones most Americans won't know that getting a cellphone can be this easy."

Why indeed....

# Permalink Posted at 10:47 AM 1 comments Email this Link

Comments on this Item:

On the ATM vending machine:

Having been in Europe since 1997, specifically in Germany, I see the American cell phone industry as strictly a cash cow for the phone companies. No where else in the world does anybody have to pay for incoming calls, except the good old US of A. In Europe you pick a provider and choose a plan, i.e., contract service or pay as you go. It is realativly cheap.

The only similarity to the states is the stupid provider lock. If I buy a phone why can't I just go to the store and get it without being tied to a provider? If you go to the phone manufacturer sites they always redirect you to AT&T or some other phone giant.

The SIM Card vending machine is a good idea, but it will probably never come to the states.

VR/
RAINMAN

# posted by rainman 1:47 AM

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