telecomspricing.com 100th SnapShot comments on key trends in mobile services worldwide over the last five years

TCL (Tariff Consultancy Ltd), has published the 100th edition of the Tariff Trend SnapShot series of Mobile Trends, providing an insight into key changes and trends over the past five years.

Over the past five years TCL has tracked and analyzed the key changes in mobile services worldwide. The Tariff Trend SnapShot 100 edition provides an opportunity to review and identify the changes that have taken place over the period including:


- The impact of the disruptive MNO – with disruptive MNOs in Mexico, India and France ensuring that all rivals follow their price points with additional service bundles

- The impact of MNO consolidation – with MNO consolidation so far making little change in average pricing, but producing a reduction in entry level rates

- Rapid Smartphone penetration – with smartphones increasing penetration rates around the world, even in emerging markets with the sub-USD $100 smartphone

- The rise of the Integrated service bundle – with integrated bundles (calls, SMS & mobile data) being available across all markets driven by the smartphone

- The rapid adoption of LTE 4G services worldwide – with LTE becoming the standard data service in most markets with no distinction between 4G and 3G pricing

- The blurring between Pre Pay & Post Pay services – In many markets, such as Italy, France & the USA, the rise of the no contract (or as T-Mobile USA describes it, the “un-carrier”) package with no handset subsidy has erased the distinction between Pre Pay and Post Pay services.

- The decline in disruptive pricing, mostly – worldwide – There has been a trend towards more stability in pricing, with more rational pricing strategies adopted, with Jio Reliance (India) increasing rates.

- The use of mobile content – Mobile content is being provided as a differentiator in both Emerging Markets and Mature Markets, on top of an Integrated Bundle of Calls, SMS & Mobile Data, with content including sports content, film & TV and music streaming.

- The rise of Premium Bundles – As Integrated Bundles become more widespread, MNOs are seeking to differentiate their services by adding additional services, including international call or roaming bundles.

- Roaming services are becoming more like home – Although the EU has taken the lead in reducing roaming rates close to domestic rates, other regions around the world have also followed suit.


- Pricing changes include – The introduction of low cost smartphones worldwide, and the reduction in the amount of handset subsidies with usage bundles, remain the two key trends driving pricing over the past 5 year period.


For the next five years, TCL believes future trends will be driven by four main trends that are already apparent including:

- Smartphone penetration levels – which will continue to rise in emerging markets with low cost devices becoming the standard device to access the internet.

- The distinction between Post Pay and Pre Pay services will continue to narrow – as usage bundles, tailored for different user segments and content will become more widespread driven by analytics.

- There will be a debate whether Post Pay 24 month contracts can survive as standard – with some countries, particularly in Africa, still providing a Post Pay service based on a 24 month contract term as standard, it seems unlikely that a 24 month term will remain as the standard offer.

- In Europe and also the USA - roaming and international usage bundles are being integrated with bundles as a source of differentiation, but as mobile markets mature over time, roaming and international services are set to be incorporated into premium bundles in other markets.


As a special offer to celebrate 100 editions the TCL Tariff Trend SnapShot 100 survey is to be provided free for the first 100 users who request the TCL Tariff Trend SnapShot 100 survey by e-mail to our website address (info@telecomspricing.com).



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About the TCL Tarff Trend SnapShot subscription service – The TCL Tariff Trend SnapShot subscription service, published since 2012, provides commentary and analysis on the key trends for mobile services worldwide. The Tariff Trend SnapShots are available in an easily digestible PowerPoint format where users can purchase individual editions for GBP £245 each or GBP £1,295 per annum (for 20 editions). Further information is available on the Telecoms Pricing website at: www.telecomspricing.com



About TCL (Tariff Consultancy Ltd) – TCL is a London-based international research and consultancy company specializing in telecoms pricing and strategy worldwide. TCL provides a range of subscription services including Telecoms Pricing Today, the Global LTE Tariff Tracker and the Global Mobile Broadband/Mobile Internet/3G/4G Tariff Tracker subscription services. Further information is available on the Telecoms Pricing website at: www.telecomspricing.com