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Home - Kagan: Uber, Lyft, Airbnb grow wirelessly
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Kagan: Uber, Lyft, Airbnb grow wirelessly

by Jeff Kagan January 31, 2016
written by Jeff Kagan January 31, 2016 Share
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Image courtesy of Uber
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Ever think of ride-hailing services like Uber, Lyft and Airbnb as wireless companies? Well, they are. We know the wireless industry is a rapid growth engine, but if we pull the camera back we can see how it is also the spark that creates loads of new opportunities in nonwireless businesses. And we are just in the very early stages of this incredible new opportunity.

When we think about growth and opportunities in wireless, we think of networks, handset makers, app makers and the assortment of other companies that make wireless work. However, most don’t think of it this way, but wireless is also creating all sorts of new opportunities for growth in many other industries.

Wireless is transforming industry after industry

Those opportunities build new companies. They create new industries or industry segments. They can transform a company direction going forward. And, if successful, this transforms the entire industry by creating the new and different level.

The companies, which first use wireless to transform themselves, are just the start of the great industrywide transformation. If they are successful, they create a spark in the marketplace, which others jump into as well. Eventually the entire space is either completely transformed or reinvented.

Just think of how industries like automotive, health care, retail and countless others like ride-hailing services are using wireless to build and transform individual companies and entire industries.

Uber, Lyft, Airbnb transforming taxi, limo, car rental industries

Today companies like Uber are now surging ahead of the national car rental industry, according to a report by Certify.

It says sharing economy services like Uber, Lyft and Airbnb continue to impact the traditional taxi, limo and car rental industries, and in the fourth quarter of 2015 more was spent on these ride-hailing services than on traditional services.

This shows real opportunity whether you are the first with a great idea to transform an industry, or if you are one of the first few followers into the new space. So the next question is, what are you waiting for? There are countless new ideas which can be started using wireless and countless new industries.

Early bird gets the worm

Just look at how Uber is looking to transform other industries as well with services like UberChopper, UberBoat and UberEats. Are you getting my point? This is an incredible time of transformation, innovation and invention created for us by the wireless industry. This is why the wireless industry will continue to grow and continue to be an important core technology going forward.

Did you ever think if I was only alive at the time of the first Ford Model T, or the first electric lights or the first indoor plumbing? We all have. Who wouldn’t like to be a Rockefeller, Carnegie, JP Morgan or Ford? Well suddenly because of wireless there are all sorts of new opportunities in front of each and every one of us. Now is the time to pounce. Are you ready.

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Table of Contents

  • Wireless is transforming industry after industry
  • Uber, Lyft, Airbnb transforming taxi, limo, car rental industries
  • Early bird gets the worm
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Jeff Kagan

Jeff is a RCR Wireless News Columnist, Industry Analyst, Consultant, Influencer Marketing specialist and Keynote Speaker. He shares his colorful perspectives and opinions on the companies and technologies that are transforming the industry he has followed for 35 years. Jeff follows wireless, private wireless, 5G, AI, IoT, wire line telecom, Internet, Wi-Fi, broadband, FWA, DOCSIS wireless broadband, Pay TV, cable TV, streaming and technology.

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