We have all long hated the cell phone companies for their expensive plans and unfriendly services. The recent developments with Verizon, ATT and T-Mobile all starting to offer $99.99 unlimited plans are good for the consumers. I would like to see more power to the consumers such as complete elimination of activation/termination fees and easy transfer to other carrier providers.
While thinking about what other conveniences I would like to have, I have realized that the cell phone companies currently do not provide just the data plan - to access the web. I don't like the voice+data bundle - just want the data plan. I can't lug around my laptop everywhere, so free wi-fi or a broadband card like the ones from Verizon don't cut it for me.
I would like to see a portable device such as mobile phones or mp3 players providing such plans. Better yet, free internet on mobile phones ala free wi-fi spots?
Its time for a disruptive business model so the power is shifted back into the hands of the consumer. Its time to from $99/month plans to $10/month. A couple of half-baked thoughts:
- A portable internet device could eliminate the need for a cell phone because if the web access is good, I could use a lot of web phone services either free of cost or at throw-away prices. This model has the potential to avoid a lot of overhead charges that you would have with a regular cell phone provider.
- Here is a stretch. Since most of the free services these days seem to revolve around ad-driven revenue, can somebody dare to think of providing free wireless phone service with mobile ads? :) A Google AdSense driven model could scan the conversations and send relevant ads to the mobile phone :)
