This provides maximum flexibility but less control. Short-range Wireless LANs have the advantage of being unlicensed, and potentially much less expensive to implement. If this came to pass, a wireless operator could partner with the Wireless LAN operator by providing centralized customer support and centralized billing, to name two examples. The operator could be at advantage over other competitors which invested heavily in cellular and PCS-based data services. The future is unclear at this time.
Rapid developments continue to shake up the competitive landscape.
The world of data forces wireless firms to consider potential competitors or partners from the computing industry. Not long ago most wireless operators would have thought an AOL-Netscape merger would mean nothing to their business. Today, we can foresee that AOL-Netscape, with Sun as a strategic partner, will be an important factor in the development of wireless data services. AOL is now one of the largest and most powerful content providers on the Internet. AOL's combination of depth of content, strategic assets, and large base of customers gives it the potential to influence the content of future wireless devices.