What is free on the web should be free on the mobile web.
November 20th, 2006 | by amarfresh |European operators are starting to get it. However US operators still don’t want to give up the keys to the “data castle.” (They don’t want to go to a model where content is free and you only pay for access.) In Europe, T-Mobile has been doing it with Web N Walk, and now 3 has data access through its X-Series phones.
With the launch of X-Series, 3 plans to try to follow a new principle: “What is free to use on the Net ought in principle to be free when you use it on the mobile Net,” said Frank Sixt, group finance director for Hutchison Whampoa Ltd., 3 Group’s owner.
Soon the US cellcos will all have high-speed data capability and near equivalent coverage. The one who makes the Internet easiest to access will get my next contract. So far, I’m still waiting for a Gmail client on my Verizon phone; and I’m not getting a PDA or Smartphone. (Booo to BREW.) Sprint has shown me love by allowing me to be an Ambassador of their PowerVision offering; and most recently Cingular’s HSDPA service has my attention. Mind you, each of these networks allow their users to download data apps to their handsets.
Do you want to pay for services on your handset which are free on the web?
Read: CIO India