- Image by Getty Images via @daylife
U.K. mobile operator 3 just raised the bar, challenging the entire British based mobile operators to a dual of sorts.
The decision to open up their mobile broadband plans on an unlimited basis is a counterattack on Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile, Virgin and O2 and comes along with what I saw on the tube yesterday where MVNO Vectone Mobile, has a ridiculous rate plan of 40 pounds per month for unlimited calls and mobile Internet, plus super low calling rates to places outside of the UK.
When you compare what’s going on in the USA where rates are rising, not falling, you have to recognize that what occurs in the U.K. ultimately sets the trend in the mobile world, as competition is fierce, but it is also fierce in Spain, Germany and Italy too. Depending how other operators choose to move, will determine if 3′s opening volley is a bomb or simply chaff in the race to get more customers. Having used 3′s all 3G network this past week, along with T-Mobile, they clearly built it out for this era, as my legitimately unlocked Apple iPhone performed like nothing ever seen on AT&T with the locked USA only phone. The same for my iPad, which rapidly logged on, loaded web pages and sent and received email., as well as making VoIP calls with Bria, Truphone or Skype calls.
Given the quality of the wireless pipe, I can only imagine how those who need the high volume may simply go, 1-2-3 and sign up.
