Cell Phones With Navigation Via Data Plans

If ATT (and others) would simply put some of their profits back into upgrading their networks this would not be as big of an issue

1. Most cellphones don't have enough storage space for the maps to fit.

2. Cell phone carriers typically do not manufacture phones so they can't control the space available for storage on the device.

Using a cell phone's navigation feature may seem like a good idea, but who would want to be staring at a small screen while driving? A cell phone's screen is not very big. Better to stay with a dedicated GPS system.

Carriers make huge profits on peoples overages. As a matter of fact, ATT is strongly thinking of going to usage-based billing, instead of plans that include say, 5 gigs per month. Why? Profits.

See: http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Hints-At-UsageBased-i...

Are you absolutely sure it's only about the profits? The fact that 3% of the total user base of their network uses 40% of the total capacity wouldn't have anything to do with it would it?

How about the vast number joining the "churn" and leaving AT&T because of those 3% using all the bandwidth so their 3G connections are slower than dial-up speeds? Are you absolutely certain it doesn't have anything to do with getting a return on the investment of several MILLION dollars to install a cell site?

Just curious is all.

Those people are just using what they bought, that's all; UNLIMITED. Now, ATT doesn't like it?! Jeez, that's a shame. But the fact is, the system is still not being used at 100%.

For instance, caller ID is a huge cash cow for them because it's all profit. It's a consequence of digital networks. Text messaging "costs" them 1/100th or so of a cent... and the list goes on and on.

I think it's called business. Companies try to maximize profit; consumers try to minimize their cost. Is it a perfect system? No. But can't think of a better one.