It was confirmed last week that the Google Glasses, available
by the end of the year, will tether with Android devices and iPhones. Google
Glasses will not include a cellular radio but will leverage the 3G/4G connection
of the smartphone. The need to keep the glasses light weight and minimize
battery drain is a big reason that Google Glasses is piggybacking on the
capabilities of peripheral devices.
This development perpetuates the trend toward greater access
to cellular networks. The market has decidedly stated that users do not want multiple
data plans to go with their collection of mobile devices with tablets almost exclusively
Wi-Fi only. Unauthorized tethering has been a cat and mouse game with hackers finding
new vulnerabilities as fast as OEMs and carriers can patch them. Restricting
mobile tethering is a losing strategy. This has caused carriers to shift
business models and rethink use cases to enable these devices to generate value
from their networks.
The decision of Google to leverage existing connectivity infrastructure
will help drive the openness of wireless infrastructure. Many carriers have
endorsed the tethering trend and adjusted their business models to better align
with this change. Verizon and AT&T have shifted business models to shared
plans to align revenues with data consumption instead of the number of devices
used by an individual. The increased openness of mobile devices to connect to
any network, fixed, wireless and mobile more dynamically will increase data
flow adding value to users and revenues to network operators. The more dynamic
use of wireless spectrum will not only improve reliability but also create new
opportunities for vendors to optimize the use of bandwidth across a more
interconnected wireless ecosystem.
At the end of the day, Google benefits from this increased
data flow as it drives more engagement from users and advertising opportunities.
Tethering also allows Google to circumvent the carrier distribution channel
with their Google Glasses hardware offering as they enter the brick and mortar
retail market.
