When WiMAX finally gets its proper launch, many potential customers will be looking at it as a replacement for their home broadband connection (especially as Sprint seem to be positioning the system as primarily for nomadic use, i.e. multiple stationary locations) rather than an addition; Bridgewater Systems would quite like to step in and offer a pay-as-you-use alternative. They’ve announced multiple types of WiMAX prepaid services at CTIA Wireless, including time and usage quotas based on a range of parameters such as bytes transferred, total downloads and messages exchanged. Their WiMAX ‘Prepaid Integrator’ system drops in as a relatively turnkey solution for carriers, and could see short-term international roaming, temporary bandwidth boosts and on-demand content for sporting or entertainment events all offered at set, contract-free prices.
“Prepaid support is a critical capability, enabling WiMAX service providers to compete with existing 2.5 and 3G broadband services, by offering services that appeal to under-served user segments who would not typically subscribe to regular monthly subscription plans” Farshid Mohammadi, vice president product line management at Bridgewater Systems
“On-demand services allow service providers to meet the price sensitivity concerns of a broad range of subscribers, and their appetite to try new services on a limited basis” Farshid Mohammadi, vice president product line management at Bridgewater Systems
Bridgewater sees the following benefits of on-demand, pay-as-you-use access:
- Register WiMAX devices for temporary access to regional or country networks similar to the way a traveller would temporarily access WiFi services
- Boost bandwidth for a short period of time
- Turn on a roaming option for data and other services while travelling when their home contract does not support roaming
- Access on-demand mobile content services for specific sporting or entertainment events
Should the system be adopted by Sprint and/or Clearwire (or whichever unified network they eventually agree on), it could signify a useful way to take advantage of WiMAX speed without committing to a full contract. Considering Intel are a key investor in the wireless broadband, it seems likely that they’ll be increasing the number of chipsets that ship with a WiMAX module in place; prepaid and on-demand options might encourage buyers to activate those, paying for mobile service as and when they need it.
GOVERNMENT REFORM OF TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES
We are tired of corporate America asking us to make a commitment to their companies when they have no loyalty to, us, their customers. As American consumers we go to cell phone companies for service, not for equipment. Branding another manufacturer’s equipment is just another way for them to bind us into contractual agreements and, to charge us additional monies to use the full features of the equipment, as designed by the original cell phone manufacturer, in an “a la carte” manner.
We need better consumer protection against leveraging our credit rating and worthiness, if, we should become un-employed during the duration of such a commitment.
Therefore, we are asking for legislation that allows us to:
• Purchase our own equipment directly from cell phone manufacturers or without making two year commitments or any.
• Allow us to switch telecommunication service providers without penalty or credit sacrifice.
• Make it easy for us to move our existing telephone numbers to whichever company we choose.
• Advertise which telecommunication companies provide the best coverage in our area, on a specified website.
• Prevent cell phone companies from “piece mealing” services by features that were part of the original cell phone design by the manufacturer.
• Stop cell phone providers from adding additional charges to our bills utilizing abstract names and means.
• Giving us a clear cut way to report cell phone providers who fleece their customers, for immediate remedy, and, for better consumer credit protection.
• Prevent telecommunication companies from designing specialized plans, specific, to certain cell phone manufacturers to abstract more monthly service fees.
Contact your congress member. Keep this circulating.