First, Ka-Tel which will own the network does not have to provide for MVNO or provide SIP numbers to other carriers. If this is the case, then Ka-Tel will be responsible for providing for both as a carrier, and provider. There will be a number of features that would be required from the carrier, and these features are standard with all carriers. The following responsibilities are as follows:
- Affordable Plan
- Customer Support
- Hearing Impaired Plans
- International Calling
- IP Address Lock
- Unlimited Data
- Unlimited RCS?/SMS?
- Unlimited Voice
Affordable Plan
A couple of plans must be affordable to someone that is only receiving GBI. This is to assure that everyone has the opportunity to either have a cellular phone, or a home phone. The carrier can choose to sell devices, but they are not allowed to tie you to a contract. This is to assure that the customer can leave with their phone without penalty. The phone can not be locked to their carrier, and may not have apps exlclusively for their services installed on the phone.
Customer Support
Calling 611, and pressing 0 in any would be IVRs will get the customer to support services so they can address their issue without having to wade through constant IVR menus. This will include calling from a secondary telephone number. Obviously, the secondary telephone number must be on the same carrier for the 611 to work. The carrier must also have a dedicated telephone number as well.
Hearing Impaired Plans
The carrier must offer plans to those that either can not hear, or are mute. Incoming calls will direct the caller to communicate via RCS, or another contact means. In addition, almost all numbers will not connect to a call. The exception will be to emergency services.
International Calling
The carrier must offer an account poll and international calling services. This will be especially useful if the customer is traveling abroad, or if they have family and friends that live outside of the nation. They can also choose to call businesses as well.
IP Address Lock
On SIP? phones, or ATA?s, the carrier must be able to enable a few to lock the device to the IP address of the location. This is designed to make theft of such phone useless since the bad actor can not make outgoing calls without being back at the location.
Unlimited Data
All plans must offer unlimited data in the cellular plan. This also includes not throttling videos to 480p resolution if the device supports higher resolutions.
Unlimited RCS/SMS
RCS, and SMS must be able to continue to remain an option without the concerns of caps, or overage fees. Communicating via SMS is important with basic phones, or devices running particular versions of Android.