According to both anecdotal evidence and more fact based industry sources it seems like many mobile operators put high hopes to smartphones as the way out of the recession.

Why? How?

My thinking is that mobile calls, sms and mobile internet is a “must have”. A new cool handset is still “nice to have” items. If you accept that analysis it is hard to see how handsets in the expensive end will sell well in a receission when people tend to look at what they spend. Even the sales numbers from some of the big operators give some indication on the willingness to spend on these items in the current climate.

Good news for mobile services is that there is still a market. There will be a consolidation which will give the survivors a stronger position in many dimensions. Better negotiating power, more users and finding good acquisition candidates. So again, I repeat my bullish outlook for inventive mobile companies with a sound balance sheet. Preferrably with additional distribution channels to mobile operators’ portals.

I do not place a penny on high end smartphones as the way out of this recession for the mobile operators. Better to build on existing defendable positions and features. One thing to not forget in that is pure hardcore customer service. T-Mobile UK and Netherlands loosing customers now, as reported here. Anyone seen their customer service winning any awards lately?