Recycled Mobile Phones to help developing countries? WTF??

[Yaw]

Recently I saw an ad on tv asking that we donate our old mobile phones to help developing countries. They recycle them so they can sell them overseas to someone that cannot afford them so they can make more money out of less fortunate people.

Ok This is a very ignorant veiw point that I have just listed. Please if someone knows that is not the case please correct me. I just fail to see how handing someone in a poor country a mobile phone that they will need to pay another bill for is going to help them. Maybe I just have the wrong idea of what they are planning. However if my veiw point is correct I strongly urge anyone considering this to NOT do it.

[MrSparkle]

I think you're spot on, it's all about a money grab for the telcos. They have identified what they see as a win-win situation, in that they can make money out of more affluent peoples generosity (by being able to sell what is donated), and making money out of the developing nations in bills and contracts.

If Telstra is behind it, then I'd say it's time to buy some shares again...

[lukey]

Its so the developing countries can talk to each other on 5110s

[3Toed]

Originally Posted by MrSparkle

If Telstra is behind it, then I'd say it's time to buy some shares again...

ROFL! So true.

Originally Posted by lukey

Its so the developing countries can talk to each other on 5110s

And have better communications than the so called developed countries. Dunno about other people but my old 5110 is more reliable than the 8250 I got afterwards and also my current XdaII.

As for donating, bugger that. I'm keeping all mine in case one dies I can fall back on another. And possibly start a phone museum one day. :P

This, ladies and gents, is a 5110. It works. Even when dropped from a height of 1 metre onto solid concrete multiple times.

This, ladies and gents, is an 8250. It's a ricey piece of shit that hangs at random intervals requiring the battery to be removed to reset it.

This, ladies and gents, is an O2 XdaII. A Pocket PC that can tell you the weather, surf the Internet, watch porn and make phone calls on.

Here endeth todays phone history lesson.

[MotherNatureVer2]

I love my 2280 ....... she aint flash but she does the job ........ bit like my car really :P

[Peuty]

Ahhh yes the 2280, how I wish I kept mine, instead of upgrading to my 6225 POS.

[Paris Hilton]

i lost my 7250i today :(

[M14A-Mclaren]

I dont think you can even recycle your mobile phone in NZ, there is about 4 at my house that are doing nothing, and I'm about to upgrade.

[bindi]

Originally Posted by lukey

Its so the developing countries can talk to each other on 5110s

Bwahahahahahahaha

My sister asked me last week if mobile phones are recycled... her partner died 5 years ago and left behind an old mobile.

It was a Phillips Diga. She took it out of the box, the leather cover was all mouldy and I opened the back to find a sim that was bigger than a credit card. It was so heavy and huge and clunky!

Anyway, we found out that the council take them. I think that's better than Telstra.

[dogbreath_48]

Originally Posted by bindi

Bwahahahahahahaha

My sister asked me last week if mobile phones are recycled... her partner died 5 years ago and left behind an old mobile.

It was a Phillips Diga. She took it out of the box, the leather cover was all mouldy and I opened the back to find a sim that was bigger than a credit card. It was so heavy and huge and clunky!

Anyway, we found out that the council take them. I think that's better than Telstra.

keep it! surely the value will start to increase again soon! like a brock commodore....

-Stu

[Kryton]

Originally Posted by dogbreath_48

keep it! surely the value will start to increase again soon! like a brock commodore....

-Stu

yep ive still got my old anologue Motorola brick (cant remember the model number) that has the 3cm deep battery on it.
im going to sell it to an antique shop in 60 years time and buy a carton of milk with the money i make.
now thats planning for my future!

[Feathers]

I recycled my old GH688 Ericsson.
After I backed the XD over it's aerial accidently, I gave it to my Dad, and he loves it.

I programmed the theme from Leisure Suit Larry 1 as his ring tone.
Only problem now is he likes the ring tone so much he doesn't answer the phone when you call.
And if he had anything smaller he'd lose it.

[dogbreath_48]

Originally Posted by davway

...im going to sell it to an antique shop in 60 years time and buy a carton of milk with the money i make.
now thats planning for my future!

brilliant, simply brilliant!