Cheap Voice, Not Fast Data Drives 3G

Some new research says that 3G is beginning to thrive, but not because of fast data or mobile content, it's the cheap voice tariffs that are doing it. This isn't that surprising, judging by how some carriers, like 3, weren't seeing much success until they slashed voice prices. Despite carriers' efforts to push data services like mobile TV, people still aren't using them as much as hoped, and good ol' voice remains the "killer app". While there are capacity, cost and efficency benefits for operators to use 3G for voice over 2G, operators that shelled out billions for 3G licenses were really hoping people would be buying more content by now. But when the stuff doesn't work right, people aren't too interested.

Filed Under: 3g