It’s not just a recurring cost with 4G/5G modems, but it’s also practically infeasible in many countries where getting a cellular connection of any kind requires KYC and related formalities. There’s no way these TV manufacturing companies can buy one connection per TV (and accept the liabilities that come with such a connection) or get their customers to have one. If they do try WiFi to a known hotspot that the company has deployed almost everywhere, that will be a huge cost with very little benefit.
If they make the TV into one of those monstrous Alexa Show (?) devices where you can make calls or do other things, they may be able to persuade some customers to get a connection for the TV. Even then it’s a stretch because most TVs are in one place for years and the places they’re in would have WiFi/broadband coverage in the same or a nearby room.
>It’s not just a recurring cost with 4G/5G modems, but it’s also practically infeasible in many countries where getting a cellular connection of any kind requires KYC and related formalities.
That doesn't seem to bother Amazon's Whispernet.
Amazon has been doing this for years[0]. Free cellular access for specific Kindle devices for specific purposes. They've sold many millions of those around the world.
Granted, Amazon was generating revenue from selling ebooks, which was the incentive for providing the service.
>There’s no way these TV manufacturing companies can buy one connection per TV (and accept the liabilities that come with such a connection) or get their customers to have one.
If they follow Amazon's lead, they'll enter into contracts with global networks (Amazon uses AT&T) for bulk rates on carrying their products' traffic.
That said, it's not at all clear to me what the break even point might be on a per-device basis for these TVs, but the first search result for "WiFI/LTE chipset price" yielded this link[1]:
ZTE 4G Module LTE Wireless Wifi Board with Sim
Card Slot Mini Router PCB for IOT Camera GPS
Sensor Data Transmission
1 - 499 Pieces $17.49
500 - 1999 Pieces $15.99
>=2000 Pieces $14.99
I'm guessing that Sony, LG, Samsung et. al can get much better prices for their specific needs than some random Alibaba listing. That, and they already have WiFi and wired ethernet, so adding the capability is easily within reach.
Whether or not it would be profitable for the TV manufacturers is an open question.
I'm not saying that it will happen, just that it could.
I was thinking about Whispernet too, and then I thought about Sidewalk, and how some cable ISPs are offering wifi hotspot service via the router they rent you (Comcast does this).
Would manufacturers need to add cellular support if they could instead sign deals with other companies to auto-setup a wireless connection?
I realize Sidewalk is very low bandwidth, but I wonder if that's a problem for the telemetry data we're worried about.
KYC might be needed for internet access - TV’s SIMs can very well be restricted to a specific APN that only allows traffic to the ad & telemetry servers, no longer counting as “internet” access for legal purposes and thus not requiring KYC.
If they make the TV into one of those monstrous Alexa Show (?) devices where you can make calls or do other things, they may be able to persuade some customers to get a connection for the TV. Even then it’s a stretch because most TVs are in one place for years and the places they’re in would have WiFi/broadband coverage in the same or a nearby room.