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devices and networks provide, and how those services can be provisioned, maintained, monitored, billed for, etc.

One of the key elements to consider is QoS. Users spending massive amounts of money each month on unlimited voice and data plans are unlikely to tolerate slow 3G network speeds or other problems they may have ignored otherwise. Furthermore, I've heard remarks from people in passing that they really loved their slick new smart phones until they realized that they weren't terribly good phones. Great data receivers. Decent mini-computers. Less-than-stellar for voice calls. That's a problem.

In addition, billing and charging models have to stay agile as companies attempt to dodge economic woes and keep ARPU high. While few consider cell phones a luxury anymore, expensive data plans may be downgraded when it's renewal time as things tighten. Keeping a tight leash on billing mishaps, maintaining positive customer interaction, and keeping billing transparent are all keys to reducing churn.

At the end of the day, the simpler model of wireless communications that pervades much of the world is proof that simple services can be profitable, too, and that services should be agile enough to match demand. With solid OSS/BSS support, advanced wireless services will likely continue to grow and change, even in uncertain times.