Less than a year ago, Droid didn’t, Clearwire wasn’t very, Leap was about to take a very big one.
On the eve of the FCC’s annual report on the state of mobile wireless, I thought I’d share Verizon’s submission to that effort and highlight a few noteworthy facts.
Today, the wireless market swarms with choices that didn’t even exist a short time ago. Our ex parte letter is rife with examples of this robust wireless competition and its innovations, so please take a look. But one thing that hasn’t changed much is how effectively competitive the US wireless ecosystem is.
- Clearwire has announced plans to cover 120 million people nationwide with 4G mobile broadband and increase backhaul capacity by 250% in 2010.
Looking at 2010, “effectively competitive” seems like a fair description. From our mind-boggling choices in handsets (a world-leading 630 in the US alone), to the ever expanding number new categories of mobile platforms (iPad, Nook anyone?), to devices which allow one carrier’s hardware to work on another's network (Verizon’s or Sprint’s MiFi).
Wireless even brings competition to other markets. Think of how iTunes and Android Market gaming apps loom large for traditional video game developers, and free turn-by-turn directions from Google must play into Garmin and TomTom planning. Wireless competition isn’t just ubiquitous, it’s contagious!
Is it perfect? No. Not perfect. But is it waning? Hardly. Just try to turn on a TV and NOT see an ad fighting for your business, or ask a sales rep selling wireless retail if he or she doesn’t feel the hot breath of a competitor on his or her neck. Oh, and you can find these reps pretty much anywhere. It seems as if there’s a different wireless store on every corner, not to mention in your mall and inside big box stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Sam’s Clubs, Best Buy and Radio Shack.
With 4G about to burst into the mainstream with Verizon’s LTE rollout, don’t blink, because in the second half of 2010 you will see even more competition and innovation.