ork to offer increased voice and data services. Another significant deal was the $53 billion merger between Bell Atlantic and GTE. Pending approval, this merger will provide substantial economies of scale in providing voice and data services in their respective regions of service.Bundling Telecommunication Services. The passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 will allow companies to offer "one-stop" shopping of telecommunication services by consumers and business. Since operators can enter each others business, bundled services can include local, long distance, wireless, internet, and cable TV services. These companies may also segment their markets to offer enhanced services to loyal customers. Telecos operators may even use some form of price discrimination by offering multiple "service packages" to different market segments. This strategy is based on simplified billing to customers which reduces the telecos providers overall cost. Teleco operators who are not "full service" providers could be at a substantial disadvantage. However, there will always be niche players that serve a particular geographic area, customer, or market segment.Wireless Technology used in Global Markets. Global penetration of wireless technology should assist growing economies in developing their telecommunications infrastructure. Wireless technology is likely to replace wire line networks because of the portability of voice and data. http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/Infrastructure/InfrastructureTelecommunications.htm Direct Selling of Wireless Services. Companies are setting up their own distribution channels to sell equipment and services to consumers. This is an expensive proposition but gives those direct sellers more exclusivity with the search-sale-service-support process to consumers. Other cellular service providers are using independent retail stores to sell such equipment and services. This can inclu...
