Why Zer01 Mobile unlimited voice and data MVNO/ MVNE in the USA has a good chance of success
Zer01 Mobile
I was sceptical about Zer01 Mobile at first but as the company launches formally today - we at GoMo News are upbeat.
Why?
Well in April 2009 the company announced the first unlimited data a voice package for USD 69.99.
At the time, I was on holiday and saw the release but didn’t give it too much thought. But I just took a look back at the site and this is not just about an MVNO.
Zer01 is an MVNO offering this data no contracts package to all. By “all” I mean the business segment and the enterprise.
Is that good?
That is a clever business model. I saw the same from Cubic Telecom (Max Roam) last month and voice remains the ultimate premium of mobile. Voice is the cash cow and the market is not over crowded. Getting the large business on board is a fast way of winning a large slice of the voice market. For example; for the sales force mobile is vital. Unlimited mobile or a company unlimited tariff for sales staff will enable selling out of the office; less charges for Wi-Fi and the ability save money when out of the office.
Voice vs Data?
I mean we can’t ignore data completely but at the end of the day arguments that voice is dying just don’t wash. In fact, thinking back to my chat with Pat Phelan from Max Roam and Truphone’s acquisition of SIM4Travel - there is an opening in the market for some tough and juicy competition.
Prices play an important part -but so will quality of service and getting the enterprise on board.
The table below is a guide of some cheap voice and data products - it is in no way complete but clearly shows a black hole in the market - ready to be filled.
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Zer01 Mobile |
Boost Mobile |
ATT Unlimited Data |
Max Roam |
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USD 69.99 unlimited voice and data. USD 10 extra for international calling to 40 countries. |
USD 59.99 per month – but not really unlimited and suffering from bad publicity |
USD 20 for unlimited but capped at such a low rate I finished this when I was in the USA in 3 hours. |
Free worldwide incoming SMS. Low cost voice globally save up to 80% on all roaming rates. |
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This is an affordable rate the same price as Sprint’s unlimited data plans which still need a voice tariff. |
Boost is a brand focused younger operator with good pricing. The packages will suffice for the normal user but might not match Zero on its unlimited blockbuster movie deal. |
Having used this service twice now and blown USD 100 on it in 4 days – its crap. |
I am putting my money on Max Roam and Zer01 Mobile to disrupt the mobile space. Max for the roaming market and Zer01 nationally.
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Data
On top of that lets not forget data. This is a brilliant to the point article on why data rates suck.
This post clearly sums up why data billing is complicated and costly. In this case the guy got his zillion dollar data bill eradicated -but how many others don’t. Getting huge bills is a wake up call that mobile data just isn’t what it should be.
The End?
Nope. The beginning. This is why its just the start for mobile voice and (finally) low cost voice mobile services.
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There will be a flood of new, exciting applications developed for the faster new phones and service like Buzzirk.