Qualcomm’s Personal TV Now Available; Pricing Plans Are Nowhere To Be Found
Posted on 2009 under Communications | No Comment14 Nov
Qualcomm’s FLO TV Personal Television, which provides a 3.5 inch screen for viewing some of your favorite programming while on the go, is now available in stores—however, the monthly service plans are no where to be found.
Currently, the device costs $250, including six months of free service, which the company explains represents $90 in savings. But what happens after the introductory period is not obvious, even after visiting Amazon.com (NSDQ: AMZN) and the FLO TV website. On Amazon, the fine print stipulates that after the six months, “your credit card will automatically be charged the then-current monthly subscription rate.”
It was only after calling customer support that we were able to get the pricing. According to a representative, you will be charged $14.99 starting in month seven. (A spokesperson also added later that that pricing could change based on new promotions.) At $14.99, it’s comparable to what Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) and AT&T (NYSE: T) have been charging, and is now more expensive than AT&T, which recently dropped the price to $10 a month. It’s also more expensive than FLO’s original quote of $9 a month for a three-year contract, which the representative said is no longer being offered.
The total cost of ownership for the first year is $340, which is fairly pricey, but it’s the lack transparency that will probably be the bigger problem in gaining consumer adoption.
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