In launching the iPad 3 yesterday, Phyllis Schiller of Apple announced it “has the most wireless bands that has ever shipped.” That’s nice in terms of international travel, but think of what it means to the average consumer. We are still stuck with the least innovative pricing algorithm of the last century. Carriers subsidize a device for a measly amount, then lock you up for 2 years to their network.
Contrast this to what UPS told me for the case study in my book. Their 5th generation DIAD (the device each delivery person has) offers “ the ability to communicate over both CDMA and GPRS cellular technologies within the
same device. This will allow UPS to increase our coverage, experience
fewer outages and leverage best-cost carrier options.” On the fly they can swap one carrier for another.
Seriously Apple, too late for this iPad, but how about in the next iPhone bulk buying voice and data services from all your carrier partners and offering packages to your consumers in a truly revolutionary step forward in the mobile marketplace?
