Binfus said:
As soon as mobile networks start to see Ad$$$ and other as yet untapped revenue sources (as yet even un-tought of by the likes of us) and begin competing for that, the plan prices will come tumbling down ....again, read in this another rationale why so many industry giants are clamoring together for this little .mobi thingy...!
How do you assume plan prices will be coming down ?
I think that the 'mindset' of some of the .mobi domainers is too much hype-oriented at present, and as a result, dubious assumptions are made, like the .mobi button as default ext. etc. At present it's nothing more than
speculation and
wishful thinking.
Of course I can agree with your line of thinking, logic would have it that mobile Internet becomes more affordable but it would mean a decrease in revenue for carriers even if they compensate with increased volume. I don't see it happen just for the sake of promoting an extension.
As for untapped revenue... revenue will remain marginal until the crowds go mobile en masse..
It is very significant that during the whole .mobi promotion campaign nothing has been said about the true impediments to mobile Internet.
Mobile Internet is
not a techical issue, it has never been as the technology is
already there and has been there for a long time.
The obstacles to mobile Internet are:
- lack of contents
- lack of dedicated/tailored websites (of course websites should be tailored to tiny devices I am not denying that)
- airtime pricing
- not all devices are enabled
+ other factors which are a bit outside the scope
So the real question is: how is .mobi going to change the landscape for mobile users ? So far the only thing that may help is that .mobi registrants will have to design mobile-accessible sites but that's all. You can still opt out and not register any .mobi or accommodate mobile devices using the old .com.
What are the actual incentives for catering specifically to mobiles ? At the very best we could say that .mobi is just laying the path for others to follow. I've been saying .mobi will create more confusion that help, of course we could do more to promote mobile Internet but right now it's not a technology fix that is needed. As I said above there are a series of importants steps needed to make technology more affordable. For one thing, airtime needs to get cheaper (the first argument). Until costs come down significantly people will refrain from surfing mobile.
It won't happen overnight. It's an economic issue here. It could become a political issue. For instance the EU has intervened to slash down roaming prices. I am not commenting on the EU intervention, I just note that mobile operators are not bent on cutting costs unless they are under heavy pressure to do so.
So... plan prices coming down thanks to .mobi... I would not expect such a thing :imho: