Why Multiple Networks?

Much of the rest of the world uses the same type of network. If you travel
within Europe or Asia simply replace the internal card and use the same
phone. Why does the US have multiple systems with different carriers all of
which have poor service? Why don't we have one network?

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› See More: Why Multiple Networks?

Simple: No one could agree on what standard to use, so everyone did their
own thing.
"Robert" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Much of the rest of the world uses the same type of network. If you
travel
> within Europe or Asia simply replace the internal card and use the same
> phone. Why does the US have multiple systems with different carriers all
of
> which have poor service? Why don't we have one network?
>
>

"Robert" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Much of the rest of the world uses the same type of network. If you
travel
> within Europe or Asia simply replace the internal card and use the same
> phone. Why does the US have multiple systems with different carriers all
of
> which have poor service? Why don't we have one network?

Free competition vs. government mandate. Spin it however you want, but
sometimes dictator-like powers work wonders. The other thing to remember is
that most Asian and European countries are small and/or densely populated.
It's a hell of a lot harder for a US company to get universal coverage,
especially in rural America.

Robert wrote:

> Much of the rest of the world uses the same type of network. If you travel
> within Europe or Asia simply replace the internal card and use the same
> phone. Why does the US have multiple systems with different carriers all of
> which have poor service? Why don't we have one network?

Free Market competition. In the EU, the various countries pretty much
mandated that every carrier use GSM. In the US, you are free to use
whatever standard you like, as long as it does the intended job.

As far as "poor service" goes, that's kinda subjective really. The
coverage that my cell carrier offers me is quite adequate for my needs,
and a simple $5 add-on to my account ensures that where they don't have
coverage, I can roam and not get charged excessively for it. On the
other hand, I think it's "poor service" to have a cell phone company
nickel and dime you at relatively high metered usage rates, and to
charge the people calling you for your cell phone service, as is the
common practice in the EU.

The minute buckets, free PCS2PCS calls, and free long distance are all
advantages of the competition that exists in the US, that you won't find
in other parts of the world.


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