Three Big Cs: Communication, Convergence, and Commoditization

By Stephanie Look

During a recent trip to Napa, two of my friends and I found ourselves looking forward to a short two-day getaway from reality. However, a getaway can be more difficult to achieve than one might think. Within the first 20 minutes of the drive up, we were each connected to a cell phone, BlackBerry, or worse…connected to both devices at once and engaging in text messaging or mobile email. Ironically, this trip away from reality led me to realize how much we truly rely on our mobile devices as a primary method of communication.

All about access
Some say choosing a mobile device is like ordering your morning Starbucks; you’re not just buying a cell phone or a cup of coffee, you’re paying for a sense of self. At Starbucks, you can order a double tall, nonfat, vanilla latte, with foam, no whip; the options are endless. Similarly, service providers today are looking to offer you ways to personalize your mobile device by integrating and giving you access to all of the features that you want and need— Wi-Fi, iTunes, cameras, video, touch screens, email and data services. While I do own the BlackBerry Pearl, I have yet to tack on the data plan; I personally prefer not to be connected to my outlook account at all times, but it is nice to know I have the option down the road.

While mobile device features are endless today, operators are finding the marketing opportunity is in providing better access to those features and services.  Operators will continue to offer competitive services, and establish new ways to leverage fixed mobile convergence services—in simple terms, services that increase coverage at lower costs, and ultimately allow the customer to obtain mobile access anytime, anywhere.

With the widespread availability of mobile devices and voice plans that address specific consumer needs, few people still use a landline outside of the office—and even then they rely on their cell phones as their primary method of voice communication.  In fact, analysts predict U.S. households alone will be at least 30-50 percent wireless in just a few years reflecting similar trends in Europe (San Francisco Chronicle, 2007).

It’s clear the benefits of the personal mobile experience are only increasing.  With the limitless features and mobile device options for the individual consumer, business user, and the family next door, all we really need to look for in a service provider is the best quality coverage for the cheapest rates.  We all want the option of being able to be connected anytime, anywhere. And with every other service provider (here and here) offering unlimited voice plans to maintain subscriber loyalty, voice has officially become a commodity.