monica.paolini posted on September 29, 2009 12:10
Often operators do not want to disclose too much about what they do. But one topic that is guaranteed to get even the most guarded operators to open up is the price of end-user devices. In my latest report, Getting WiMAX in the Hands of the Subscriber, based on a detailed survey of 74 WiMAX operators, operators were eager to express their views on this topic. For over 80% of them, cost is a critical factor in the selection of devices, followed by technical performance, quality and time to market. (Surprisingly, in the age of the iPhone, design did not score very highly).
Device prices are truly crucial to the success of operators. I have talked to several operators that have to put on hold expansion plans until the price of devices reaches an acceptable point. If the price is above a threshold, there is simply no business case. Typically, fixed operators limit themselves to business subscribers, with higher ARPU, higher margins and lower churn. When the CPE price goes down, they move to the most attractive residential markets first, and eventually move to cover broader areas.
For cellular and mobile WiMAX operators this is clearly not an option. They need to reach business and consumer users from launch, and they need affordable devices to do so. This is the case even if the operator decides to subsidize the device. And WiMAX operators are trying to move away from the device subsidy with long-term contract model, towards a more flexible system (the subscriber buys the device and uses it with a monthly or pay-as-you go contract). In this model, expensive devices may drive potential subscribers towards competing operators.
Which WiMAX operators participated in the survey?
Interestingly, WiMAX operators expect entry-level mobile phones to also be priced at around $75, excluding subsidies. This could be a reasonable expectation for a bare-bone phone (no cellular interface, limited functionality, small screen). In the same survey, however, operators indicate clearly their preference for powerful, feature-packed devices, with advanced data capabilities. It is not realistic to expect WiMAX to compete with GSM voice-centric services, so it makes sense for operators to show little interest for basic phones capable of only voice and texting.
WiMAX phones should support web browsers and audio and music streaming in addition to texting and email capabilities to make the service compelling to users, in developed as well as in developing markets. These requirements are going to make it difficult for device vendors to reach the target $75. Operators also overwhelmingly want devices with Wi-Fi and 2G/3G cellular interfaces. This is going to drive the price further up.
Will a higher price destroy the business case? It does not have to, especially since during the initial stages operators still focus on data-centric devices like laptops.
Furthermore, the rapidly growing market share for smartphones indicates that subscribers are increasingly willing to invest money in a powerful device. At Yota, the Russian WiMAX operator, HTC WiMAX smartphones are available for about $1,000 and the operator has sold thousands of them during the initial months of operations. This is clearly not a mass market device, but there appears to be definitely a market for it, in emerging markets as well as in developed ones.
I would be interested in hearing what you think about the prices for WiMAX mobile phones. Do you think the non-subsidized $75 price point can be achieved? And if so, what are the devices that we should expect to see at that price? You can send me your thoughts at monica.paolini@senzafiliconsulting.com