WIRELESSTRAK™ provides a 360-degree perspective around the fast changing wireless communications sector, with a focus on emerging data and mobile broadband opportunities that will reshape the business and ignite participation from new entrants. The WIRELESSTRAK™ service offers detailed perspective on activities and strategies of major wireless carriers plus technology and platforms, content, marketing, and research updates. Learn more...
August 2010
Apple, AT&T face rising legal backlash
Up until now, Apple could seemingly do no wrong when it came to its wildly popular iPhone smartphones, but the iPhone 4’s reception problems have put a serious dent in its reputation — despite remedies Apple has since offered, including free protective cases to solve the interference problem. iPad users, meanwhile, are upset that they bought the device with the understanding that AT&T’s optional 3G plan included unlimited usage, only to find they were pushed into the carrier’s new 2 Gigabyte usage plans if they delayed activating service. Both suits point to consumers’ growing expectations and demands on mobile devices, and it serves as a warning to other providers including cable operators that missteps will be punished through legal action.
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July 2010
Move toward usage-based pricing risky for AT&T
AT&T’s move toward usage-based pricing will be closely watched in a U.S. consumer market accustomed to all-you-can-consume wireless data plans. So far other carriers including archrival Verizon Wireless have not followed AT&T’s lead, perhaps preferring to wait to see the customer reaction. Indeed, the move is not without risks, and other competitors — including cable wireless data players — that stick with unlimited plans could have some effective counter-marketing ammunition to wield against AT&T.
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June 2010
Q1 results show wireless growth train is slowing
The wireless market is now a switcher’s market, and one can expect that acquisition strategies among providers will shift to reflect that. For cable operators, it means subtly altering their marketing aim to target not the small number of non-wireless customers but rather those already tied to another carrier.
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May 2010
FCC broadband plan raises hopes, concerns
Getting from recommendation to regulation will be no small task. The FCC has made potentially controversial recommendations to harvest even more spectrum from TV broadcasters, while other sources of bandwidth may carry added restrictions. For cable operators, however, the plan could offer opportunities to pick up spectrum licenses in the next decade, all of which could help them field new wireless services.
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April 2010
AT&T, Verizon widen subscriber gap over Sprint/T-Mobile
The divide may indicate that there isn’t room for four nationwide postpaid-oriented mobile carriers, and that Sprint and T-Mobile may reluctantly have to shift their market focus toward the prepaid segment to survive. As a result, cable operators entering wireless may have to put even more focus on diversifying their mobile services to avoid these competitive barriers. >> Download Abstract
March 2010
2009: The year of data
To succeed, wireless providers must focus on data service and handsets, with voice becoming a waning factor in overall strategy. With the looming introduction of wireless VoIP, some time in the future, data service may be the core offering, with cellular voice as an optional add-on. >> Download Abstract
February 2010
AT&T contemplates usage-based data pricing
With its lack of connection to wireline telco players, T-Mobile might be an interesting partner for cable operators now moving into wireless. But the top MSOs’ alignment with Sprint Nextel Corp. and its CDMA technology will likely prove a significant roadblock to such a deal. >> Download Abstract
January 2010
AT&T contemplates usage-based data pricing
de la Vega’s comments provide evidence that the days of unlimited data usage for cell phone and smartphone customers are fast coming to an end, as carriers are forced to adopt policies that set limits — and assign usage-based data tiers — for wireless broadband customers. >> Download Abstract
December 2009
iPhone influence looms large in Q3 carrier results
Carriers may continue to emphasize their network performance, but the third quarter subscriber numbers indicate customers are instead drawn to handsets — namely, the iPhone. The shift in market drivers, wherein the device is king, will have implications for all wireless providers including cable operators going forward. >> Download Abstract
November 2009
AT&T reversal on iPhone reflects political, business realities
After battling with Google Inc. and coming under increasing scrutiny by net neutrality advocates, AT&T Mobility made an about-face regarding VoIP applications for the Apple iPhone. The carrier announced that from now on, VoIP applications for the iconic handset could tap into the cellular 3G connection, rather than limiting them to the phone’s Wi-Fi connection. >> Download Abstract
October 2009
AT&T on defensive over network performance
AT&T’s 3G network woes have been well chronicled in the press recently, with complaints particularly from iPhone users of dropped calls and slow data speeds. >> Download Abstract
September 2009
Mobile VoIP threat begins to stir
As it did in the wireline world, VoIP is now making its way onto mobile phones, offering users a cheaper way to make calls using the data connection, rather than the voice channel. VoIP’s emergence in the mobile environment threatens to undercut cellular providers’ voice services, a potential threat that is magnified by the entry of Internet giant Google Inc. into the field. Even so, the technology faces several roadblocks. >> Download Abstract
August 2009
Pressure builds for ban on handset exclusivity
For decades, carriers have used exclusive handset deals to gain a competitive edge over rivals. But consumer advocates are now arguing that the practice gives the carriers too much power over handset availability and restricts consumer access to popular cell phone models. >> Download Abstract
July 2009
Verizon: LTE speed will be 8-12 Mpbs
While AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless have been waxing on about the new broadband world of Long Term Evolution (LTE) they have not been as specific about service details, including the critical average datarate customers can expect. That was answered, in part, by Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam, who said customers can see LTE download speeds between 8 Mbps and 12 Mbps.
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June 2009
Wireless data growth slows in Q1
Until now, wireless data service has been the high-flying growth darling for the cellular industry, with the Big Four carriers racking up impressive gains in data ARPU and revenue. But for all participants except Verizon Wireless, that trend hit a significant speed bump in the first quarter, with data ARPU moving up only modestly and carriers talking about how consumers are cutting back on usage.
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May 2009
Cable still searching for a clear wireless signal
After decades as wireline providers, several cable operators are now adding wireless services to their portfolios, but it’s definitely a work in progress. Individual MSOs are taking different routes to that destination, and they face stiff competition from wireless giants AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless. Other MSOs are opting to sit on the sidelines, worried that there is, as yet, no single winning model for cable wireless services. >> Download Abstract
April 2009
Mobile video's cloudy picture
Predictions that mobile will be the next big platform for video content continue to abound, but the reality is there is little substantive evidence of strong consumer uptake, and only a few hints as to what offerings viewers are calling up on their mobile devices. >> Download Abstract
March 2009
Perspectives on the emerging wireless market
There is strong evidence that consumer mobile communications habits are shifting from voice to text-oriented. A contradicting trend seen in the past year indicates that despite the ongoing trend of wireless substitution, the metric of mobile minutes of voice usage per month is actually flat to falling. Meanwhile, data messaging volume is skyrocketing. >> Download Abstract
January/February 2009
CES: Home video goes portable with new products
From Slingbox software on the Apple iPhone to personal transcoders, the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show illuminated the drive towards products that let users transfer their home video onto portable devices and take it on the road. Motorola Inc.’s unnamed transcoder device is emblematic of the breed. It connects video-capable handsets to home DVRs or media gateways, allowing users to quickly export video for mobile viewing. >> Download Abstract