A group of Dutch students has created *bliep, a cellphone company with plans designed to appeal to the country's youth. The new company was born out of frustration with the Dutch telecom giants and their archaic plans that focused more on voice and less on data and SMS.
With *bliep, the focus is on clear-cut plans with no hidden charges. The company offers SIM cards, which run on the T-Mobile network, that offer smartphone users unlimited SMS messaging and data for .50 euro a day (about 15 euro a month). The students are targeting their new company at youth who are fed up with all of the small print, overt advertising and other forms of trickery performed by giant telecom companies. Currently, *bliep's service is only available in the Netherlands, but it may not be long before it spreads across the pond.
Student-Created Telecom Companies
The *bliep is Designed to Appeal to Dutch Youth
Trend Themes
1. Youth-focused Telecom Companies - Creating cellphone plans that target the unique needs and preferences of young consumers to disrupt traditional telecom giants.
2. Transparent Pricing Models - Designing plans with clear-cut pricing and no hidden fees to attract customers frustrated with giant telecom companies' overt advertising and trickery.
3. SIM Card Plans - Offering simplified plans that run on existing networks to provide affordable and accessible telecom services.
Industry Implications
1. Telecommunications - Developing new pricing models, bundling deals, and customer segmentation strategies that target young consumers unhappy with the telecom market offerings.
2. Finance - Investing in telecom startups that prioritize transparent product pricing and target the youth demographic.
3. Education - Educating young people on affordable and transparent telecom plans, as well as on how to start their own company to disrupt existing markets.