Signs of Trouble in the Mobile Handset Business?

Trouble might be brewing in the mobile handset business, if one looks at profits in the industry. Apple is the outstanding winner, and Research in Motion isn't immediately troubled, either.

But Apple's growth seems to have come at the expense of other providers, and doesn't seem to have grown the market.

Industry profits dipped to a bit under $4 billion at the trough of the recession, and have recovered to nearly $6 billion in the holiday quarter last year. But the aggregate data hides a stunning shift of market share.

Motorola and Sony Ericsson had been losing money and only recently have reached breakeven status. LG turned negative in the second quarter of 2010.

Samsung has been consistently profitable and has gained market share.

But Apple and RIM now ern about 65 percent of all profits in the business.

asymco

Wireless is Different | AT&T Public Policy Blog

"Unrestricted access rules for wireless networks would hurt users more than help them. They just don’t realize it," writes Fortune.

"Net neutrality would be a serious problem for wireless networks, who all-but-have to prioritize certain types of data-hungry types like say, point-to-point streaming media, over others due to simultaneous usage and current bandwidth limitations," Fortune notes.

"We’ve been making this point for several months now but we can’t emphasize it enough: wireless is simply different," AT&T says on its policy blog.

Wireless is Different | AT&T Public Policy Blog

Fortune article

Verizon Likely Would Use 1 Gbps for B2B Apps

Verizon's recent tests of 1 Gbps service on its FiOS network, aside from marketing implications, might lead to use as mobile backhaul or enterprise access applications, more than a consumer offering, as the firm apparently believes there is little actual end user demand for such services.

Verizon already offers 50 Mbps consumer services and take rates have not apparently been spectacular, for Verizon or any other company that offers such services. You might notice no firm offering such services ever talks about take rates. That typically is because take rates are quite low.

Verizon Discusses 1-Gbit/s

Apple to Launch 7-inch IPad by Christmas?

Apple is readying another tablet similar to the iPad but with a seven-inch touchscreen. It might be launched in time for the Christmas selling season, according to a Taiwan-based Digitimes.

If the report proves correct, we'll get a better test of end user demand for smaller form factor tablets.

Report Says Apple to Launch 7-inch IPad by Christmas

Verizon Wireless Plans More Android Introductions

Verizon Wireless is preparing new Android-based devices for introduction, Boy Genius reports. The Motorola Droid Pro is said to have a 1.3GHz CPU, four-inch screen and global roaming capabilities, with a projected November 2010 launch.

Motorola also is said to be working with Verizon on a “slab form-factor” device that sort of looks like an old Motorola "Q" but features a full touchscreen and global roaming.

Global Android devices from Samsung and HTC also are expected. Samsung is said to be working on a seven-inch screen Android tablet with front-facing camera. Motorola is said to be working on a tablet with a 10-inch screen.

Verizon Wireless

Verizon might reap big iPhone harvest

poll suggests a large number of iPhone users would switch to Verizon if given a chance.
http://www.investorplace.com/investment-research/smartphones/changewave-research-apple-iphone-4users-want-verizon.html

T-Mobile USA May Delay LTE Launch for Two Years

T-Mobile USA does not expect to offer any LTE services for at least the next couple of years and will instead rely on its HSPA+ network. That would be in line with the dominant trend globally, where operators are upgrading now to HSPA+ and getting ready for Long Term Evolution.

'We'll get a fourth-generation wireless network either by buying spectrum or re-farming existing spectrum, or potentially leasing spectrum together with others,' Chief Executive Officer Rene Obermann said. 'I don't think we'll trail others in the next two years.'

T-Mobile USA May Delay LTE Launch for Two Years