Android and iPhone OS: The SUVs of Wireless?
Your wireless data options are soon to be both more diverse and expensive. Why? Apps and capabilities are creating a usage shift from voice to data on phones. The mobile operating system /device landscape isn’t evolving; it’s morphing.It won’t be long before the complaints voiced about AT&T’s mobile network will be repeated across all mobile network providers as downloading huge chunks of data will far outpace voice calling. T-Mobile’s ‘Skype’ strategy could prove to be the model of the future. Actually I don’t mean Skype specifically, it will be variations of VOIP over Wi-Fi to where users can piggyback on alternatives to cellular networks.
Apps and robust mobile OS’s have changed the definition of what a cell phone is. Our clients are now seeing about a 90/10 split between BlackBerrys and standard cellphones. Data will have to become a premium and voice could be just thrown in. The revenue stream is richer in data and the case can easily be made that wireless providers can and will charge more as they try to keep up with the bandwidth demand. And while new standards, ala ‘4 G’ networks are in the works, you don’t honestly think they won’t look for opportunities to up the ante just a little bit each month?
I’d say kiss goodbye the days of $30 and $40 unlimited plans and look for things like $30 50Mb, $40 250Mb, $50 1G plans and unlimited data plans reaching as high as $60-80. There are already some options out there similar depending on the provider. My point is we will soon see wireless bills rise about 10-20% or even more over the next 2 years. We’ve developed a taste for big and brawny with heavy dose of ’statement’ devices we flash around. Android and Apple OSx have opened the door and not only is there no going back, I would expect Palm, Windows and RIM to only add to what you just need to have in your hand.
Of course I could be wrong…
UPDATE: This was announced on Friday, Jan 15th.
Look, there apparently is already plans for plans. Check this from ABC New/Money:
The latest moves in a long-running pricing competition between the nation’s wireless carriers is not just leading to lower prices for some customers: It also shows that data use is becoming an increasingly important service for mobile carriers as they look to new sources of revenue from customers dependent on mobile access to e-mail and the Web. In fact, with the latest round of changes, both companies are requiring more customers to buy the data plans used to access the Internet and check e-mail on high-end mobile devices.Don’t be deceived by the lowering of the one for the other. This is about the increasing significance of data and I expect there to be more changes as the impact of Android-enabled devices will start to be felt.
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