First iPhone, now iMVNO?
Posted by Liz Everette on December 16, 2006
Filed Under Cellphones | Stumble This
According to UBS analyst John Hodulik, Apple will introduce MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) wireless service via the iPhone in ‘07. This is one of the rumors that I’m half-hearted on. Although I think that Apple is certainly capable, seeing as how iTunes revolutionized (legally) downloadable music, I also see the utter failure of ESPN Mobile as a warning sign for when content gets tangled up within the realm of carriers.
Here’s the bigger problem: MVNOs seem to cater to niche markets. Amp’d Mobile has the 18-34 year old male segment. Disney has helicopter parents of kids. Helio is working on the trendy, young and MySpace obsessed. Now granted, some niche markets are bigger than others– GreatCall’s Jitterbug MVNO is counting on the greying of America with big cell phones and operators that do everything for you.
But I digress. Lots of people have iPods already. Also, and more importantly, lots of people have cell phones– with a whole range of carriers, and a whole range of contracts because so much of our device hardware is subsidized. So here’s what I want to see from Apple– forget the MVNO and just sell me a $249 iPhone that is is 3G GSM capable and includes at least the option to put Opera Mini on it so that I can replace my iPod and phone (see complaint here) and not get stuck with contract woes.
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