Dell and AT&T Mobility have launched a limited-time offer (ending Jan. 31, 2009) bundling 3G service with a PC, requiring a two-year contract to AT&T "LaptopConnect" costing $60 a month.
The offer extends the common mobile phone offers that bundle discounted handsets with service to mobile PC service. The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 will cost $99 after a $350 mail-in rebate.
Orders can be placed on Dell.com.
There are several obvious implications, some pertaining to service provider strategy and revenues, some pertaining to public policy issues. The service provider angle is that, as handset subsidies have boosted mobile subscriptions, so PC subsidies will boost use of mobile PC data plans.
The public policy angle is that, to the extent there are users who want to use the Internet, but do not own PCs, this sort of bundling addresses their needs. To the extent there remains a gap between desire to use the Internet, and the means to do so, programs of this sort will address the problem. Some people do not want to use PCs or the Internet, and virtually nothing is going to entice them to do so. On the other hand, bundling access devices with service is a proven way to stimulate demand.
Another angle is that this bundle moves us further towards a world when broadband access will be a "personal" service. Where in the past voice service was to "places," it now is to "persons." Where broadband access largely is to "places," this sort of plan moves us in the direction of broadband access to "people."
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