Yes, this is for real or at least we think so. We first learned about this product back in late 1999. An entrepreneur was so frustrated with her cellular phone, she had considered throwing it out the window. Which allowed the idea of the disposable cellular phone to be born.
We are aware of a small company in Florida called TelAmerica Communications, (not to be confused as there are actually two companies using this name) that may be offering disposable prepaid cellular phones. Currently, they are being manufactured by Mitsubishi or possibly Motorola. So far we have been unable to confirm exactly who is thinking about manufacturing them. At this time, we are unable to determine the pricing since it hasn't been rolled out at the time of this writing.
It is unfortunate that it is being presented as Multi-Level Marketing rather than being sold through normal sales channels. Be prepared that when you buy one that you may be hounded by someone trying to get you to sign up for selling them as a part of their downline. Rumor has it that AT&T Wireless may be hard up enough for cash that they will be providing the service although it is a MLM scheme.
We were told that we needed to sign up right away before our competitors did so because they were lining up even now. We would have to take issue with that statement if only because we have not seen any activity of this type.
However, there are other manufacturers and
entrepreneurs looking at this very same product line. Maybe one day, you
can buy one straight from a vending machine. We have learned of four
companies in total who are now looking to provide disposable cellular
phones though there are some obstacles that need to be overcome.
First is the new e911 mandate by the FCC
that all cellular phones must be 911 compliant. To do this, the phones
must have incoming and outgoing capabilities. The original design of the
disposable cellular phone was to make it so that only outbound calls
were necessary. This mandate has significantly delayed the rollout of
disposable cellular phones as it will require a new design.
The next problem is how the mandate will
affect manufacturing costs and how much will the disposable cell phone
cost. Originally, the price was going to be very low but that may change
now. Yet another problem is that two of the manufacturers that we are
aware of lack any true expertise in the wireless industry. A problem
that can be overcome but it gives the two competitors with the
experience a slight advantage.
Heed the warning that these disposable
prepaid cellular phones will be manufactured with quality not being a
factor. You will probably be able to recharge the phone with a new card,
but it may only last for 3 months or less before you will have to buy a
new one.
We investigated these disposable prepaid
cellular phones and it is unclear if the unused airtime units will
expire or if the units could be transferred to a new phone should the
current phone break down. We will keep readers updated through our
newsletter as we learn more. There are a number of questions left
unanswered right now.
