Google’s Online Store: A Game Changer for Carriers
Similar to how Apple changed the terms of the game with carriers by being the first OEM to dictate the terms of sale by a carrier and was a catalyst in the transformation of carriers to data pipes, Google’s recent Nexus One announcement includes a very significant change for carriers (and consumers). For the first time, customers can buy a device from the world’s first carrier independent smartphone store, then choose a network based on speed and quality and a plan on that network. So you can comparison shop among networks based purely on plan price and network quality, because you already have your phone picked out.