While the idea of mobile data roaming is not new, demand is clearly taking off, driven by the broadening rollout of 3G networks. Carriers are still experimenting with pricing, and many are leaning towards the same kind of package deals so popular with voice services — a fixed price bundle rather than pricing by per Megabyte.
Not surprisingly Europe leads the world here, thanks to the ease of cross-border travel. In that sense, according to ABI Research’s Mark Beccue, Europe can be seen as an advance case-study for the rest of the world, although many factors are different in the US and Asia. “While some very low roaming prices can be found in Asia, demand for the service is lower,” he added.
Indeed, prices for data roaming have been falling in Europe and roaming data usage has been growing. However, Beccue argues that revenue growth for data roaming will be constrained by two factors: falling prices and penetration of the traveling population — or that part which might use data roaming, will have reached saturation.
More information about ABI Research’s study titled “Mobile Data Roaming” is available from their website.