Shared Data Plans and Flexible Use of Subsidy are Set to Drive Wearable Adoption and Carrier Revenue in the U.S.

Shared data plans and flexible use of subsidy are set to drive a new phase in U.S. Carrier device strategies. U.S. carrier retailers will diversify their product range and offer a large variety of wearables, handsets, tablets, and even detachable and convertible PCs in 2014. Multi-device shared data plans and flexible subsidy, spread across multiple devices, will be used to drive adoption and increase average revenue per user.

U.S. carriers continue to hold significant influence on the success of mobile handset manufacturers and these manufacturers need to diversify and keep step with this industry evolution. Broad consumer electronics manufacturers are well placed to take advantage of this trend.

“U.S. carriers need to ensure they have the right multi-device data plans, billing infrastructure, user analytics and segmentation in place to ensure their use of subsidy is well spent across these new device categories. Insuring that these devices are actually using their networks and services is the first step in driving revenue out of this opportunity,” comments Nick Spencer, senior practice director.

These findings are part of ABI Research’s Mobile Handset Go-to-market Strategies Research Service.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 70+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.