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A lot of times anymore, they throw in a new phone for free with a new contract. Gotta weigh that out thow. Used to be 4 major cell companies, ATT, Nextel, Cell One, and Verizon, although Sprint was pretty good sized too. Purchasing phones from ATT and Nextel were $$$, but the monthly service was said to be cheaper than Cell One or Verizon, whom gave you the phones, but made up for it on the monthy service. Most of them use made in China Motorolas since all but closing down the fairly new operations in Harvard, IL. (built a mega facility, used it a couple of years, moved most of it to China, laid off thousands of employees. Thousands). I worked for Illinois Bell, whom became Ameritech, and had our own cellular (Ameritech). Then Southwestern Bell (SBC) announced a proposed merger with us, but before doing so, the FCC told SBC must either sell off Cellular One or Ameritech Cellular so dont have as much a monopoly. They sold Ameritech Cellular to GTE, whom then became Verizon, then SBC merged with us (hostile take over really - do it or we'll smash you), then Cellular One merged with one of them other guys (another hostile take over), and became Cingular. Now our company's one big, massive, behemeth, ??? you've got me, but it aint customer focussed, that's for sure. Old days are gone. I've got Verizon Cellular. Really makes the boss mad, but I tell him I'll consider moving when SBC gives me an incentive to do so, so until then, my family 7 digit dials me from Bristol, IN. throughout the week while I'm working in Illinois, and since I get 4000 anytime minutes per month with long distance free (period), I can see no incentive to move. Mine isn't cheap though, $75 flat per month for the last 3 or so years. But my retired Mom would chew that up in long distance calls per week, and doesn't have to now - she's retired, and it's my turn to cover her. Her long distance charges used to be about $150 per month - are zero last 3 or so years. Mark.
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