AT&T – number two mobile operator in USA – announced at CES in Las Vegas last week a sponsored data scheme.
The AT&T scheme, which will operate on its HSPA+ and LTE networks, will allow private firms to cover the cost of transmission of content they provide to customers. The sponsor company will pay for the data transmission of consumers browsing or downloading their content. AT&T said that mobile shopping, mobile health care and companies with “Bring Your own Device” employee arrangements would be some of the sponsors it would target with the new arrangement.
This reverse charge data scheme may possibly be revolution in data charging or more likely an initiative, like charging for receiving mobile calls and texts, which finds application in the Americas only.