๐๐ป Amazon: On the Way to Become Your Next Mobile Carrier, Or Just Blowing Smoke? ๐ค๐จ
TL;DR; ๐ก๐ฐ
Amazon is reportedly pondering over the idea of adding mobile connectivity as a cherry on top of its Prime Subscription cake. It’s said to be holding chit-chats with big US mobile carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and Dish. Hold up though, this ain’t no confirmation! Amazon spokesperson said they’re just looking at more ways to bless Prime members, with no solid plans for wireless right now. But who knows, right? ๐คทโโ๏ธ๐
Full story coming at you:
Okay, fam, let’s dive in, shall we? ๐
You’ve got Amazon Prime for your late-night online shopping sprees, and the Prime Video for your weekend binges. But what if you could call your bestie to rant about that wild cliffhanger, using the same service? ๐๐บ๐ Sounds like some futuristic stuff, huh? Well, it might just be around the corner, or maybe not. ๐ฐ๏ธ๐ธ
There’s been some buzz around the e-commerce behemoth, Amazon. Rumor has it, they’ve been cozying up to the big guns of the mobile carrier world. The names dropped include Verizon, T-Mobile, and Dish. ๐ฑ๐ช The aim? Apparently, to offer mobile connectivity for Prime subscribers, either as a part of their current deal or for a small add-on of $10 a month.๐ต๐ฐ
But hold your horses, Prime lovers! ๐๐ Before you start imagining streaming your favorite Prime Video shows while chit-chatting with your pals, let’s check out the full story. In the words of Amazon spokesperson Bradley Mattinger, “We are always exploring adding even more benefits for Prime members, but donโt have plans to add wireless at this time.” ๐๐
This news surfaces amidst the whispers of slowed Prime subscriber growth following last year’s subscription fee hike from $119 to $139. ๐๐ธ
Now, all this might sound like the next big move for Amazon, but it might not be all sunshine and roses. ๐๐น If Amazon decides to jump into the mobile connectivity pool, it could stir the waters for the existing carriers, particularly if they price it low enough to snatch their current subscribers. A sticky situation indeed! ๐โโ๏ธ๐ฆ
Adding fuel to this speculative fire is the existence of Google Fi, a wireless network by Google, another tech mammoth. It’s known as a mobile virtual network operator or MVNO and operates on T-Mobile’s network. ๐ธ๏ธ๐
But let’s not forget Amazon’s past attempt at conquering the mobile market. Anyone remember the Fire Phone from 2014? Exactly. It was one of Amazon’s high-profile flops, discounted to a meager 99 cents a few months post-launch and discontinued within a year. Ouch! ๐ฅ๐๐ฅ
Still, the e-commerce giant isn’t shy about dabbling in new ventures. There’s the ongoing development of Project Kuiper, their satellite internet service expected to roll out by the end of 2024. ๐ก๐
Now, we’re left wondering: will Amazon go all in and venture into the mobile network game or is this just another idea that will fizzle out? ๐ค And if they do decide to take the plunge, how will the big wireless carriers react to this potential competition? Would you switch your mobile carrier to Amazon if they