Economic Conditions Leading To Increased Operator Competition
Wireless Week is reporting that trends are showing that smaller prepay-only mobile operators in US are increasing their user base’s enormously, while larger (and mostly postpay-only) operator’s businesses are stagnate. This isn’t surprising, given the pressures on consumers during a global recession like the one we are all experiencing now, but if the trend towards prepay mobile service continues, it could be the start of a new era in the American wireless industry. I’m excited about this since it means that more users are getting a taste of at least one mobile right: the freedom of carrier choice! I think as more American’s become accustomed to the concept of contract-free mobile service, pressure will begin to build on the big four (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and Sprint) and the FCC to create fairer services and policies.
Wireless Week: Prepaid Carriers Play David to Postpaid Goliaths