Carriers in the United States have a reputation for engaging in practices such as price gouging and excessive fees that are not commonly found in other countries. While there may be some exaggeration, there are indeed certain practices unique to US carriers. One of the most notable differences is the exorbitant pricing compared to other countries.
According to a recent report, data costs in the US and Canada are among the highest in the developed world. The average unlimited plan in the US costs at least $50 to $60 per line per month, while premium tier service can cost $75 or more. In comparison, in many other countries, data prices typically fall under $2 per GB. Prepaid service is an option for those looking for unlimited data at a lower cost, but it often comes with throttling and sub-optimal customer service.
In terms of purchasing phones, consumers outside of North America tend to buy their phones outright rather than going through carriers. However, international carriers do offer phones directly, often with more flexibility than American carriers. For example, in Australia, you can choose to pay for the phone upfront or select installment plans or contract terms of different durations. In the US, carriers have moved away from contracts and only offer installment plans, which essentially commit you to a contract without the term itself.
Another difference is the pricing structure for family plans. In the US, family plans offer discounted rates per line as you add more lines, resulting in higher prices for those who only need a few lines. In other countries, family plans often provide a flat percentage discount per line, regardless of the number of lines.
Tethering, which allows you to share your mobile internet connection, often comes at an additional cost in the US, while most international carriers include this feature for free. US carriers also typically impose strict data caps for tethering, even with unlimited plans, whereas international carriers allow unlimited tethering.
Activation fees and hidden charges are also more common in the US compared to other countries. US carriers often charge higher activation fees, sometimes exceeding $20, while in other countries, such fees are typically smaller.
In conclusion, US carriers have unique practices and pricing structures that set them apart from carriers in other countries. These include higher pricing, limited flexibility in phone purchasing, higher prices for individual lines on family plans, additional costs for tethering, and higher activation fees.