|
Amidst Wireless Data Hype, Voice Dominates Revenue by More Than 3 to 1
In a study of more than 20,000 current consumer wireless bills, Validas found that voice revenue continues to outpace data revenue by a ratio of 3.6 to 1. The study revealed that while more than 73% of USA wireless users subscribe to voice plans, only 25% subscribe to data plans. Data plans narrow the gap in the average revenue generated per line, where voice plans average $39.53 in charges per user versus data plans at $31.78.
To compare voice and data subscription revenue evenly, the study focused on recurring revenue and excluded pay-per-use, overage and add-on charges. Further analysis shows that when those charges are included, voice outpaces data by a ratio greater than 4 to 1.
"Data and apps represent growth for carriers, but voice still pays the bills," says Ed Finegold, executive vice president of analytics for Validas. "I disagree with analysts who argue that voice is becoming less important to wireless users because of apps and mobile Internet. Our studies show that wireless data users use more of everything, especially voice minutes," Finegold says.
The challenge for wireless users is to match actual usage to the voice plans they buy. Overage fees receive great attention because of "bill shock," but buying more minutes than is actually needed is the more prevalent issue. Validas finds that a majority of subscribers can save an average of more than $20 per month just by "right sizing" voice plans.
Article published on
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |