With more than half of smartphone post pay contracts in Europe granting allowances of more than 1GB, the prices for data plans are definitely trending downwards. According to Tariff Consultancy Ltd (TCL)'s recent report 'Key Smartphone Mobile Data Pricing Trends in Europe', this trend is observed across Mobile Data bundles offering integrated tariffs with data plans being the core upon which call minutes and SMSs are added on to. The report which mentions key operators in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK foresees the reduction in bill shocks and increased options for customers through flexible plans tailored to different markets in the region. The report was released by Research and Market recently and can be purchased at www.researchandmarkets.com.
"Mobile Data is being offered as a core service, with monthly data allowances offered from 1 GB up to 10 GB. The most common Data bundle is the 1 GB allowance, but in markets such as Ireland Mobile Data allowances as high as 5GB per month are provided as standard (for the iPhone). Additionally MNOs continue to migrate their Pre Pay customers to Post Pay Smartphone bundles. There is also growth in the provision of 30 Day contracts – as in France – where web-based deals offer a minimum contract term with higher Data allowances since Free Mobile entered the French market."