What can we expect to see next week from the Competitive Carriers Association, which will be holding their first Mobile Carriers Show in Nashville? I am sensing a more energized event for companies in this sector. I am hearing from companies saying they will be expanding their focus from the wireless industry to other technologies and other industries that are beginning to use wireless to expand. And they are looking for new ideas.
The CCA is an important trade group in the wireless industry mostly representing smaller and tier-two or mid-sized carriers, and the companies and technologies they work with. It is a mix of carriers, technology vendors, infrastructure and backhaul, handset makers, app developers and more.
In years past this group focused on wireless, but going forward I see them focusing on the many areas which wireless, as an industry, is expanding into – areas like the “Internet of Things.” This is an area that has mostly been focused on by the largest carriers and service providers like AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless, but has been increasingly a focus of carriers like Sprint, T-Mobile US and smaller regional providers like C Spire Wireless.
The CCA says North American competitive carriers spend more then $15 billion annually on products and services related to the wireless industry. When we stop and realize we are just in the very early stages of this new opportunity in wireless, there is no doubt these companies want a slice of that pie. Opportunities do not only come from other industries, but from advancements in this industry as well. IoT means everything will be connected over wire or wireless devices to the Internet. This will give manufacturers the ability to keep an eye on their gear, fix problems, do updates and so on, and all without the customer knowledge.
Wireless TV, mobile TV, MVNO, IoT and more
Wireless continues to grow and to change. New technologies and new competitors continue to mix things up. Mobile virtual network operators like Google are growing, which puts pressure on other companies and competitors.
The cable television industry will also become a player in the wireless space. They failed a few years ago, but now Comcast and Verizon Wireless are working on their next big plan to battle AT&T’s DirecTV and wireless TV.
Wireless TV or mobile TV us one of the big, new and transformative technology events that will transform both wireless and television. This is another huge growth opportunity for both wireless and television companies.
There are so many growth ideas in the marketplace today. However, there is no plan smaller carriers can follow, so they must share information and help each other. Helping this industry sector grab their share of this new opportunity is on the agenda for the CCA show.
State of wireless industry
The state of the wireless industry is healthy, growing and changing. Larger carriers seem to have more ability to try new things. Then, as they succeed, smaller carriers generally follow. However, in this case I would say waiting would not be a good idea.
We are just at the very early stages of these explosive new opportunities. Larger carriers are already working to leverage their lead. However, smaller carriers are also starting to see a huge new opportunity. Now they just need to figure out how to leverage this opportunity to increase their income and market share in these new segments.
The limits on spectrum still remain one sore spot for this industry sector. All wireless carriers need spectrum the way every superhighway needs on- and off-ramps. Hopefully, at this show, they will discuss the current position of spectrum and the current auction.
Wireless continues to grow
So, as you can see, the wireless world continues to grow, change and expand. The opportunities have so far been the focus of larger competitors like AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless. However, other competitors like Sprint, T-Mobile US, C Spire Wireless, Google, Tracfone and many others are getting ready to enter this growth wave as well.
It will be very interesting to see what the tone of the show will be next week in Nashville. The wireless industry is entering a new period of growth and transition. I hope the smaller players are ready for this time of opportunity and challenge. This is one of those times when every competitor needs to be a player or else they will miss out.
