Expanding Services
There has long been talk of Verizon offering some type of wireless TV service, and with its 4G network the company is now nearing the capability to offer that service nationwide. Within the next year, this service should effectively cover the entire US population (except for the last 1% or 2%). This would allow the company to offer the speeds that consumers need to view multimedia on their phones or tablets over a wireless network and go cable-free across the US. With more ability to link a phone or tablet to a TV or larger screen, this kind of service is becoming more of a reality.
All of that said about Verizon, AT&T is not terribly far behind in its 4G rollout. It too has blanketed the country with fast wireless service and has a provider to offer these kind of services to the public. The company could easily use its U-Verse subsidiary to offer these services to consumers in an easy to use and readily accessible way.
The Future
Looking at the landscape of the wireless industry, there are many different outcomes that could happen, and most of them are good for consumers, with increasing technology and steady competition leading the way. After the control issue of Sprint is settled, it will become clear what the winner plans on doing and what the future may hold for the industry. Yet no matter who wins, it is becoming obvious that multimedia, wireless service, and faster speeds are going to become a larger portion of the wireless business, as companies attempt to drive their revenues and profits from larger data plans for consumers. As wireless speeds increase, it will be interesting to see if AT&T and Verizon are willing and able to drive data through their wireless businesses, as opposed to their traditional cable offerings. However, regardless of what happens with Sprint, these major players will likely be around for a while, as none are showing signs of fading. However, we’ll have to wait and see what exactly happens and what the future holds in the end–but it will be exciting nonetheless.
Daniel Murray has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.
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The article The Future of the Wireless Industry originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Daniel Murray.
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