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When addressing the general consumer market, we (product owners and developers of mobile/handset applications) must cater both advanced and non-advanced users. It is very common to see applications that are only or mainly delivered for the more advanced, or early adopters-type of users. It is tempting to take such approach, as it is a more techno-savvy (and “simpler”) demographic to address, to “show and validate the vision”.

This problem is compounded by the fact that low-level handsets, such as the ones being given away for free when people sign-up or subscribe, don’t provide some basic functionality, either APIs or hardware. While handsets are getting more sophisticated and cheaper over time, what it is not improving at a fast enough rate is the cost of using the network. Flat rates are very important and will help with this regard, but pricing must be affordable. An example of this issue is the recent offer by Sprint for unlimited access packs for voice, text, and data:

In Sprint’s Unlimited Access Pack plans (now available on a trial basis for a limited time only to residents of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Tampa, Fla.), “customers in these four metropolitan areas can choose an Unlimited Access Pack with unlimited voice, text and data for $119.99 – a savings of $110 per month when compared to regularly priced Sprint services. Or customers can choose an Unlimited Access Pack with unlimited voice, text and data PLUS unlimited mobile broadband access for their connection cards for $149.99 – a savings of $140 per month.”

We are talking about $120 – $150 for one line/subscription; this is out of reach for many, for the majority.

Mobile operators are over-subscribed. And will be trying to differentiate themselves, to attract new customers (steal customers from one another). To accomplish that, new services will be offered such as roll-up minutes, or flat-rates, or all-in-one packages, or better/attractive phones, or yes applications (yes, lucky us!). But again these services must be at the reach of general consumer, otherwise only a few, only the ones who can afford it, will be able to access, which is the case today… a digital divide on the mobile side. And even for those who can afford it, there is the fear of going over limits. Flat rates rule. Flat rates will promote usage. Flat rates will increase wireless data usage and thus revenues. Affordable wireless data (i.e. beyond texting) will help minimize the mobile digital divide.

ceo