The telecom giants are trying hard to regain control over the mobile sector. Using Porter’s five forces theory, power was shifting to the handset manufacturers and at least in the USA, the power has traditionally been with the carriers. With Apple destroying that power balance with the iPhone, Google decided to take on some power as well by ensuring that every handset carrier has a competing OS to put in their devices. And now the telecom giants are trying to make this into a connection speed game. 

The next couple years is going to be fascinating. Who will win out? According to me, it will be the total experience that will win out. 

It is the combination of a good, non-flaky fast connection upon which the phone and the experience for the user relies on. It’s up to Apple and Google to choose their partners wisely and whoever gives a better experience for the customers will win the “followers,” the giant number of US consumers who are still not on the smartphone bandwagon. =)