Cell Phone Contracts and (Hyper)Inflation

[Lindsey]

We've been waiting for our cell phone contract to expire for a while, so we could switch to one of the $40/month unlimited everything, no contract plans. Its getting near the end of our contracts, and the more I look into those cheap plan options the more potential pitfalls I see. Someone please help me here, because my logic is telling me now that a cell phone contract may actually be something I want. If we are heading for inflation, or more so hyper-inflation, would it not be a good idea to be locked-in at today's price? How do the carriers survive if a large portion of their customers have contracted rates?

[talkingpointes]

Cell phone carriers are near the end of their lives. Wireless, android, skype and google phone number = 10-20$ a year.(available on with wireless, for now.) Carriers will more than likely just morph into ISP's. It's inevitable. Just wait it out. I had sprint for almost 4 years and ohhh my, shittiest service ever.

[Lindsey]

Cell phone carriers are near the end of their lives. Wireless, android, skype and google phone number = 10-20$ a year.(available on with wireless, for now.) Carriers will more than likely just morph into ISP's. It's inevitable. Just wait it out. I had sprint for almost 4 years and ohhh my, shittiest service ever.

I'm not sure I follow. I'm not a technophile. Why are the carriers on their way out? I use Skype from home, but I make most of my calls away from home. What are you advising about the contracts? Will a contract not be valuable if/when hyper inflation comes?

[phill4paul]

I'm not sure I follow. I'm not a technophile. Why are the carriers on their way out? I use Skype from home, but I make most of my calls away from home. What are you advising about the contracts? Will a contract not be valuable if/when hyper inflation comes?

If TRUE hyper-inflation hits the cell phone would be the least of your worries. I'd go with whatever best economic plan works for you in the 'here and now.'

[Seraphim]

This.

Luxuries go out the window when your paycheck stays 2000$ every 2 weeks and a carton of milk runs at 300$ and rising.

If TRUE hyper-inflation hits the cell phone would be the least of your worries. I'd go with whatever best economic plan works for you in the 'here and now.'

[Blueskies]

This.

Luxuries go out the window when your paycheck stays 2000$ every 2 weeks and a carton of milk runs at 300$ and rising.

In hyperinflation, the wages rise as well. Otherwise, people would not go to work.

Its the debt and savings mechanisms that become distorted.

[talkingpointes]

I'm not sure I follow. I'm not a technophile. Why are the carriers on their way out? I use Skype from home, but I make most of my calls away from home. What are you advising about the contracts? Will a contract not be valuable if/when hyper inflation comes?

The hardware of mobile devices can now have apps and run like a home computer. Voip is infinitely cheaper, but we need swaths of wireless networks to always remain connected. Seeing as how good 3g,4g are I would say were on the front steps of another revolution similar to music once it was out of the hands of big execs control. They will whine, and try to fight us, but we will be victorious. In the grand scheme of things it just seems to silly were using telco service from these co.s still.

[ShaneEnochs]

I work for a cell phone company. Want to know a secret? Each text message you send/receive costs them 1/6,000 of a cent.

[coffeewithchess]

Even if you are in a contract, there is NOTHING to prevent the carrier(s) from raising the price on you. AT&T raised their monthly contract prices just a few months back on customers with data plans. It went up I think by like 7% (maybe more).
My wife and I are literally switching in the next 2 weeks, to one of the unlimited plans for $45 a month, so we'll be paying the same rate we are now...but with unlimited data included, and she'll be gaining unlimited text. She currently has to pay-per-text, as the carrier doesn't offer a simple texting package anymore, and rips you off with an "unlimited" plan for more than $25 a month.

I have been testing the service for the last 2 weeks, and it's exactly the same as what we have now.
It's cheaper for her to buy an unlocked iPhone 4s, than to get one under a contract plan. She will make up the difference in price in a year.

[cubical]

In hyperinflation, the wages rise as well. Otherwise, people would not go to work.

Its the debt and savings mechanisms that become distorted.

Not as fast as the money is coming out. If you are a banker, you should be fine. If you are a librarian or 7/11 cashier, watch out.