Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 25 February 2008 17:12
Your IT -
Mobility
Page 2 of 3
There are worries that Apple isn’t making as much money as it otherwise would because of the unlocking epidemic that sees the iPhone already in use in the majority of the world’s countries.
While some analysts think a lower price for the iPhone would do the trick to boost sales, or introduce an unlocked iPhone that can be purchased without a tie-in to a specific carrier, Apple simply needs to officially launch the iPhone in more countries – whether through an official carrier tie-in or not, and finish work on the 3G iPhone that many say they are waiting for.
Sadly, carrier tie-ups take time to organise, especially when Apple wants a cut of monthly revenues, something carriers still aren’t used to giving up.
But the carrier tie-in has been of tremendous value to consumers, as it offers many a relatively huge amount of wireless data that can be used without paying additional fees.
Of course the ‘unlimited’ plans usually aren’t unlimited at all, but given the low data usage most people on any phone will clock up per month, the iPhone presents a problem to those who’ve never before had such an advanced phone.
Without having a goodly amount of data included no matter which iPhone monthly plan you go with, which is in name, at least, unlimited, iPhone users aren’t worried about using Safari, email, YouTube, Google Maps or other data hungry applications.
iPhone users in countries where the device isn’t officially available usually end up paying the high rates that carriers charge for wireless data, taking away some of the gloss of the iPhone’s capabilities, with consumers fearing the size of the final monthly bill.
Yes, the Wi-Fi capabilities of the iPhone mean that users, in their homes or offices, or other Wi-Fi enabled spaces, can eliminate those expensive wireless data charges, but it’s still an impediment to some users.
So, when will that 3G iPhone come along, and what else might spur iPhone sales?
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