The public phone system wasn't free, even though it was a public service originally managed by AT&T under strict regulation by the U.S. government. Subscription fees can be used to pay for the maintenance of the system; i.e. the salaries of those that manage it and for server capacity that enables it. If it were completely free, then some entity would have to be absorbing these costs, and that entity would then have elevated influence of how the system is managed. Nothing wrong with a modest monthly subscription fee of say $15/mo. Much less than current cell phone bills.
A sold proposal. How do you get Mr. Musk's attention?
I do not see a subscription button.
Michael
The public phone system wasn't free, even though it was a public service originally managed by AT&T under strict regulation by the U.S. government. Subscription fees can be used to pay for the maintenance of the system; i.e. the salaries of those that manage it and for server capacity that enables it. If it were completely free, then some entity would have to be absorbing these costs, and that entity would then have elevated influence of how the system is managed. Nothing wrong with a modest monthly subscription fee of say $15/mo. Much less than current cell phone bills.