The end of minutes?

I predict that in the next five years most mobile phone users won't have minutes or voice usage as part of their mobile plans. People will just sign up for an unlimited data package and use VoIP to make mobile calls. This will be helped along by the increasing presence of Wi-Fi and the new Wimax network that Sprint is rolling out. This will make shopping for a carrier much easier as you'll basically have one price point to compare and be able to weigh that data point against customer service and coverage from the carrier.



While there are a lot of emerging mobile VoIP providers, I really think Skype is well positioned to take this on. Too bad carriers will try to keep them off of devices for as long as possible. But here's a question - if Apple's new iPod Touch devices had Wi-Fi and Mac OS and a microphone (which I don't think it does), why not just install Skype and call away? Maybe you could keep a cheaper plan on a separate device for when you're not in Wi-Fi land or maybe even prepaid.



Anyway, I think a lot of change is coming and I'm interested to see how the carriers will respond. Not in favor of the consumer, I would imagine.