Hutchison Doublespeak Drags On
The IHT has an article on number portability, saying it's "failed" to revolutionize markets, but has given a boost to some carriers, namely Hutchison Whampoa's "3" operators around Europe. It highlights the plight of 3 Italy, which has gained 700,000 more customers than it's lost since portability was introduced -- the carrier alleges that its rivals Vodafone and TIM are intentionally making it difficult for people to switch carriers by slowing the processing of porting requests. Keep in mind this is the same 3 Italy that had people arrested for unlocking handsets it had sold, and is currently suing Vodafone for 850 million euros, alleging it's done the same thing. So let's make sure we've got this straight -- 3 complains when users can't switch to it, but sues and gets people arrested to make sure they can't switch away? That takes brute force marketing to a new level.
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