Vodafone has a service in Japan called “LOVE teikaku,” or “fixed-rate LOVE.” Two Vodafone users can designate themselves a “couple” and receive unlimited calls to each other for a flat rate per month. This campaign has been a huge success, and Vodafone has seen double-digit growth amongst Japan’s fickle youth.
A friend of mine recently mentioned that she had gotten a new cell phone with a new number. I assumed she had changed carriers; no, she explained, her boyfriend had just given her a new phone. On a separate carrier? Yes, she explained, this phone was a special phone with the “LOVE teikaku” plan attached, so she could talk to her boyfriend all she liked.
I jokingly suggested that her boyfriend was just recycling his ex’s phone with his newest flame. “Actually,” she said, “it is his ex’s phone.”
So remember: love may conquer all, but it doesn’t pay the bills.
CSS 2.0
June 26, 2006 at 5:05 pm
Heh, that’s actually a great idea for a calling plan–I’m surprised it hasn’t spread outside of Japan. (Or, er, has it?)
June 26, 2006 at 10:20 pm
I’ve seen a couple talk type thing here in America, but apparently has not made such an impact as to buy seperate calling plans for significant other. Maybe it’s the new way to go steady. Back in the day they had rings, now they have cell phones.
June 27, 2006 at 12:48 am
And you’re rolling
In the blender
With me.
And I can love you
Like a color
TV.
June 27, 2006 at 4:52 am
I can’t see it happening here, because here cellphone companies really count on subscribers calling a handful of other subscribers during the day often enough to run up the minutes and end up paying a shitload of charges for using extra minutes.
June 27, 2006 at 7:28 am
Bell Canada in Montreal offers the option to have a “home base” number, which is either really cheap or free I think. Not that I like the provider or anything.
June 27, 2006 at 4:49 pm
http://static.flickr.com/76/157699141_1219cf2e06.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/64/157699142_281316655f.jpg?v=0
the two lovers as they hover over shibuya, locked in eternal conversation.