Amazon In Talks About Free Cell Phone Service For Prime Subscribers

An Amazon Prime subscription will get you free deliveries, shopping benefits, and access to its streaming platform Prime Video. It’s a pretty well-rounded-out package that’s about to get a little more inclusive with the possibility of a low-cost or even free cell phone service.
 
As stated in a report from Bloomberg, the e-commerce and tech giant began talks with different US carriers, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Dish Network, around eight weeks ago. As of now, plans for the servce are still very much in the early stages, but it could include just a fee of US$10 per month or be included at no extra cost into the current US$14.99 per month Prime payment.
 
Amazon is juggling several businesses at once, and going for another might seem ambitious. However, there could be benefits in having your entertainment, shopping, and telecom subscriptions rolled up into one bundle. That said, having Amazon as a new contender in the telecom ring could pose a threat to other well-established firms. For example, Bloomberg noted that AT&T has currently dropped out of discussions.
 
Engadget points out that carriers nowadays, however, do offer more than just data and phone services. Many also deliver access to streaming sites like Netflix, Disney+, and even Spotify or Apple Music. Bloomberg has not stated if such additions will be made, but it’s hard to see if they will be, as these services are in direct competition with Prime Video and Amazon Music. In other areas, matters such as 5G data speeds are also still in the air. 
 
 
 
[via Engadget and Bloomberg, Photo 206401340 © Kit1nyc | Dreamstime.com]