Russian Cell Phone Usage…
For the past several years, cell phone ownership and usage has exploded in Russia. Actually, cell phone sells have outpaced usage by a wide margin. This is running contrary to the development of the cell phone markets in the West.
In Russia, cell phones are getting quite affordable (but still expensive) to many Russians, however it is the service that is still the limiting factor. The difference in Russia is that there are many flavors of service plans to take advantage of. And take advantage of them, Russians do.
The economics of cell phone services encourage Russians to own many cell phones. One cell phone for business purposes (the company they work for provides). Then there is the cell phone service that charges a flat rate for a fixed or unlimited time on one or a few phone numbers (typically to family). There is also as special cell phone that operates on inserting small phone cards that you pay for fixed minutes of usage (a means to budget or cap phone usage expenses). Consequently, in the cities, it is not rare for Russians to be toting up to 3 cell phones!
I just talked to a RW who returned from an extended visit home in Kazakhstan. She related this story to me. So, just imagine being on a Russian bus that is “packed like sardines.” You hear the ubiquitous garden variety ring tone. The next thing you see is everyone in the bus fumbling with their many cell phones to see if the call is for them! What a sight.
Ronin
P.S. Once that everyone can afford this new status symbol, it will cease to be a status symbol.
Last edited on Saturday September 16th, 2006 05:32 am by ronin1
|
