Cingular in-stores is now selling the LG CU500, and they appear to have dropped a bombshell. The nation’s first HSDPA phone can be had for only $279.99 out-the-door, without any contract. Considering Cingular does not require a contract, customers can try out HSDPA service for as long as they wish, without fear of an early termination fee.
This price-point appears to indicate that Cingular is heavily subsidizing the launch of HSDPA phones, a sign that the carrier may be entering a price war for phones. Sprint for years has heavily subsidized the full retail price of phones, in an effort to push premium services to customers. Verizon and T-Mobile generally have not modified the full retail price with a subsidy.Comparatively, the Samsung MM-A900 currently carries a full retail price from Sprint of $349.99.
