Wi-Fi’s Threat To Cellular May Be Overstated

One of the subtle jokes in Woody Allen’s 1972 pre-mobile phone era film “Play It Again, Sam” concerns a character’s habit of calling his office to pass on the various phone numbers at which he can be reached through the day. Its a joke that might become relevant again as Wi-Fi based wireless services, requiring people to plan ahead for Wi-Fi availability, become more common.

Recent moves by Google and Cablevision to launch mobile services relying primarily on Wi-Fi, with one expected from Comcast soon, has focused attention on Wall Street and in the media about the potential of low-cost Wi-Fi services to erode cellular carriers’ hold on the mobile market.