As AT&T is building out its next-generation 5G mobile broadband network, the carrier’s executives are beginning to explore different strategies to monetize the service, including a tiered billing structure. AT&T still hasn’t disclosed what pricing customers can expect from its network.
“I think the business models are still evolving, said AT&T President of Mobility and Entertainment David Christopher at the Mobile World Congress Americas trade show last week in Los Angeles, California. “There will be different tiers of service.”
The next generation 5G networks will deliver many added benefits to consumers, and it looks like AT&T may charge differently for these types of benefits, Fierce Wireless reported. In addition to offering faster download speeds, 5G will also deliver lower latency. Christopher mulled creating a pricing tier for gaming to capitalize on the latter feature. In addition to gaming, 5G’s fast speeds may also be beneficial for delivering virtual and augmented reality content.
Gamers looking to buy a 5G gaming laptop may be locked into one network at the time of purchase. AT&T’s vice president of radio networks, Gordon Mansfield, explained to PCMag that since each carrier operates
In addition to a gaming-centric 5G plan, AT&T may also offer bundles with Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The company recently announced a SmartThings tracker with Samsung, which includes one year of service in that device’s $99 price tag. After the first year, customers wishing to maintain the
Another option would be to add the service to a customer’s existing bill. With smaller consumer devices like the Apple Watch, AT&T could tack on a service charge to connect these devices to its network. Currently, AT&T charges customers a $10 monthly fee to add the LTE-equipped version of the Apple Watch to their monthly phone plans.
Rival Verizon will be the first carrier in the U.S. to launch its 5G network. Unlike AT&T, Verizon is targeting home broadband for its first application of
The first 5G device to launch on AT&T’s
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