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Comment by pedanticfreak | Hacker News Reader

Nevermind the cheap device. The $25 per month service that includes 300 minutes, unlimited text, and unlimited data is the real story here.

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-phone-plans/beyond-talk-...

Of course, you get what you pay for in coverage

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/check-cell-phone-coverage

Meanwhile in Canada you can't even get unlimited data over wired internet.

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In Canada I have unlimited data (with fair use policy), unlimited text and unlimited minutes (North America) for $40/month. The existence of such plans is quite new.

Concerning the introduction of "mandatory" metered internet in Canada: it appears the big guys may have been so greedy they over-reached. The consumer backlash is strong and the decision is now under review by government.

Could you explain the "fair use policy"?

Yes - you pay and they decide later what you get.

Max speed to 5GB per month after which they reserve the right to slow down your connection.

Can you then explain the use of the term "unlimited"

The carrier has an unlimited license to distort the English language.

That sounds like a mobile plan in the €30 per month range, not like an unlimited residential plan.

I guess that means all our plans here in New Zealand are technically "unlimited"...

You know, the ones that give you X GB of traffic, after which you're throttled back to dial-up speeds.

If that's on mobilicty - they use AWS so you are bit more limited in your choice of phones, and where they will work.

Yea, the cheap device part is nothing new. Just look on ebay for "unlocked android phone" and you'll find tons of G1's and other low end devices below $100.

I agree, the real deal is the plan. Otherwise you could get an iPhone 3GS for $49 with AT&T and it would be a much better device than that.

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