Cell phone bills

[mavenu]

A new survey from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) compared annual costs around the world for consumers who have cellphones, and the U.S. is in the top three for most expensive. How expensive? DSLReports notes that "on average, the OECD found that Americans pay $635.85 on cell phone service, compared to $131.44 per year in the Netherlands or $137.94 per year in Sweden."

<a class='bbc_url' href='http://www.oecd.org/document/20/0,3343,en_2649_201185_43471316_1_1_1_1,00.html'>OECD document</a>

The Communications Outlook compares domestic prices across countries for low-, medium- and high-use mobile phone users.  The following tables show annual prices in US dollars broken down by fixed subscription costs, calls and messages:



? Low use (360 calls per year of voice calls, 396 SMS; eight MMS):
  <a class='bbc_url' href='http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/622303805401'>http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/622303805401</a>
? Medium use:  <a class='bbc_url' href='http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/622318882036'>http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/622318882036</a>
? High use (1680 calls per year of voice calls: 660 SMS; 12 MMS):
  <a class='bbc_url' href='http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/622320081807'>http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/622320081807</a>



The Communications Outlook says between 2006 and 2008 mobile phone call prices fell on average by 21% for low usage consumers, 28% for medium usage and by 32% for subscribers with the highest consumption patterns.



The report adds that text messaging continues to be a particularly lucrative market for operators and that recent marketing developments are increasingly offering SMS-based packages targeted at young subscribers.

<a class='bbc_url' href='http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Consumers-In-US-Canada-Pay-More-For-Wireless-103905'>DSL reports</a>

As you might expect, the wireless industry issued a press release proclaiming the study was based on "flawed assumptions" that "just don't make sense." If you look at the data the way carriers would like, you're getting quite the bargain. The CTIA does have a point that the OECD's usage categories seem low ? particularly when it comes to MMS use. Another reason U.S. prices seem high? Carriers charge a hell of a lot of money for service. They also spend millions on lobbyists who tirelessly work to eliminate consumer protections and price controls.

<a class='bbc_url' href='http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125003143192224021.html'>Wall Street Journal</a> article on the lobbyists comment.

[Polkstreet]

Wow, I saved an average of $635.85.

[tsunamy]

I pay 1,200/year for my cell phone. wtf does that say about me?

[Guest]

I pay 1,200/year for my cell phone. wtf does that say about me?

That you talk to much

[Fudgie]

I pay around $500 Australian for mine. I have a monthly cap on the amount I spend, and I hardly use it. I do have some perks associated with mine though - my sister works for the company I have my phone with - but I worked my yearly bill out on the pre-perk price.Tsu - you need to shop around and get a better deal!

[mavenu]

I pay 1,200/year for my cell phone. wtf does that say about me?

what type of package are you on now? can you increase/decrease your data limit so you don't pay overages/extra?

and that you're above average, man!