Mobile Broadband Plans Anything But Clear
Beyond device capability, the driver to 65% adoption of text messaging was the U.S. carriers’ introduction of unlimited plans.
Mobile broadband now faces the same hurdle.
According to multiple reports, Clear, formerly known as Clearwire, is expected to announce a pay-as-you-go option for its Clear WiMAX service on Monday when it holds a news conference.
Whether the offering will be unlimited is unClear.
Currently, Clear offers 4G mobile broadband on both a contract basis and month-to-month basis, but not in a short-term, pay-as-you-go scenario. Clear apparently believes that consumers seek more flexible plan options without long-term commitments.
What consumers really need is to not worry about consumption.
Mobile broadband is one of the most evolving and confusing categories in wireless. Last week, Virgin Mobile USA announced a $40 monthly plan that provides unlimited 3G data usage over a 30-day time period. Verizon also recently made changes to its plans and pricing, bringing to market 5GB of 3G coverage for $60 per month with a contract, but a whopping $80 on a prepaid plan.
The carriers have struggled in convincing subscribers that they can control costs by monitoring usage in real time. AT&T offers multiple monitoring options, including notification via text when you are nearing a threshold.
Verizon has posted a data calculator that is intended to take the mystery out of gigabytes.
On clear.com, the company says its promise is to bring “simple and honest” pricing to the marketplace. It, too, has a link to a questionnaire that is supposed to aid in the purchasing decision.
All of the major carriers are viewing mobile broadband as a growing revenue source. Beyond price, mobile subscribers have shown they need clarity before they will pay.
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