Cheap Cellphone Service

Quote from bonkman : , Because their phone automatically switches to wifi to handle ALL traffic (not just data) whenever possible.

why would you want that unless A: their service is horrible or B: they give you incentive (like free minutes while on wifi)?

Quote from slapshot136 : why would you want that unless A: their service is horrible or B: they give you incentive (like free minutes while on wifi)?

the incentive is that its $19 a month....

Quote from bonkman : the incentive is that its $19 a month....

that's for the non-wifi calling/texts/data, is it not?

Quote from slapshot136 : that's for the non-wifi calling/texts/data, is it not?

thats for general service. cell if wifi isnt around.

Quote from bonkman : thats for general service. cell if wifi isnt around.

so to the user, other than data, what is the benefit of wifi?

Quote from slapshot136 : so to the user, other than data, what is the benefit of wifi?

There technically isn't any benefit. The idea is that this reduces the average cell minutes used by everyone, and helps reduce costs for the company overall. There isn't any direct benefit to the user other than helping keep their business model stable.

I have kajeet $15/month for 60 minutes and unlimited texts.

Quote from slapshot136 : so to the user, other than data, what is the benefit of wifi?

as xur said. The "benefit" is the business model. If you don't use wifi, the business model isn't sustainable and nobody benefits. If everybody cooperates, everybody benefits. Group economic theory and all that hippie-stuff. Sometimes what's best for the group as a whole ends up being better for the individual than if the individual acts purely for self-benefit.

You can get data on cell service, BTW. Wifi isn't a requirement for data.

I don't mind their business model, but I have doubts about it unless they offer an incentive for people to connect to wifi for calls like cheaper calls while on wifi/etc. - I also don't like them advertising it as a benefit, when it's really them who benefits rather than the customer

One of the benefits I can see to having wifi calling is that you'll always get a great signal at home (or anywhere you're on wifi).

I have sprint right now and the signal sucks at home but good everywhere else.

Quote from slapshot136 : I don't mind their business model, but I have doubts about it unless they offer an incentive for people to connect to wifi for calls like cheaper calls while on wifi/etc. - I also don't like them advertising it as a benefit, when it's really them who benefits rather than the customer

benefits are strong signal and the fact that you can use it anywhere, even internationally. That, and the $19 price which doesn't exist UNLESS you connect to wifi. It's part of their terms of service that you'll utilize wifi (and thus be allowed on the network for $19) whenever possible. They pass on their benefits to the consumer.

Essentially, you're argument is equivalent to saying "I hate when Walmart advertises they get their goods for the lowest cost. That only benefits them, not the consumer." Which is completely missing the point that this in turn leads to lower costs for the consumer.

Quote from bonkman : Essentially, you're argument is equivalent to saying "I hate when Walmart advertises they get their goods for the lowest cost. That only benefits them, not the consumer." Which is completely missing the point that this in turn leads to lower costs for the consumer.

no, rather my argument is I already have free wifi calling, yet they advertise that - it's like walmart saying "you get free air with any purchase" - basically I am buying cell service, as in service from cell towers in areas where I don't have access to wifi, since I don't need their service when I have wifi

Quote from slapshot136 : no, rather my argument is I already have free wifi calling, yet they advertise that - it's like walmart saying "you get free air with any purchase" - basically I am buying cell service, as in service from cell towers in areas where I don't have access to wifi, since I don't need their service when I have wifi

how do you have free wifi calling?

Quote from bonkman : how do you have free wifi calling?

google voice - and there are plenty of near-free sip alternatives