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July 22, 2009

WiMAX Plus the iPhone: More than Fast Mobile Internet Services

By Carl Ford
Partner, Crossfire Media

Yesterday, Apple (News - Alert) continued to exploit its advantage with an additional one million iPhones sold under the smartphone's latest incarnation, the so-called "3G S" model, within a few days of its June 19 launch: a great earnings report.
 
There was some cause for concern – a slowing Mac and iPod market – but the iPhone (News - Alert) shored profits. What makes the device valuable is that it has been a game changer.
 
Generally speaking, there are two types of iPhone users.
 
App Users: those with a special interest for the apps that take advantage of the functions of the iPhone.

Browser Lovers: those people that love the mobility and browse the Internet whenever and wherever.
 
In both cases, of course, we’re talking about consumers who require the Internet’s availability at all times.
  
Attending the Clearwire launch in Las Vegas, I was struck by how many people seem to define their service as something other than a wireless or wireline replacement.
 
Some claim that they’re not selling phone service – rather, they’re selling the Internet. And cheaper: home Internet service for $20 per month. Add mobility and the service brings another $10 to $30 per month in value.
 
Not to mention faster: 1 MB up and 5MB down is what they offer. What they deliver right now goes beyond that, but it’s not what they promise.
 
Also, when you get to the Internet on Clearwire, the assumption is that the device is your choice, not theirs – laptops, MIDs, netbooks and so on. And what you do is your choice as well. There are no devices aimed at slowing you down and stopping you from using it.
 
The result is that Clearwire is demonstrating its service with video. Hulu, Slingbox, and YouTube (News - Alert) are everywhere. They were also demonstrating in moving trucks – a way to feature mobility.
 
There’s no bundle necessary because you have the Internet. Want phone service? Go ahead and use Skype (News - Alert). TV? Go ahead use Hulu, and as for anything else, your choice.
 
At the end of the day, 4G mobility may mean something very different than a phone, or a service. It may just mean the fastest most open wireless Internet on any device you want to use.
 
Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.

Carl Ford (News - Alert) is a partner at Crossfire Media.

Edited by Michael Dinan


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