TOP ANALYSIS DELIVERED - ICO: TripAlly
ICO Analysis: TripAlly
TripAlly is an ambitious project that aims to rid travellers of international data roaming charges. As the world’s first global connectivity platform, it seeks to streamline mobile internet by reducing our dependence on SIM cards, high roaming fees and the need for extra devices.
Mobile computing has become an essential aspect of our daily lives, but telecommunications regulations have made it difficult to stay connected across borders (at least, at affordable rates). TripAlly’s value proposition is simple: for a fixed price similar to local internet rates, travellers can access unlimited data in each country they visit.
The basic mechanism for arriving at data roaming charges is quite simple. Operators in different countries have negotiated wholesale prices for international data roaming. If Operator A’s customer travellers abroad and uses their smartphone on Operator B’s network, Operator A can add whatever mark-up it wants to arrive at the retail price. In general, the higher the wholesale price agreed, the more the customers from both networks will pay.
Now, the first question prospective investors should ask is: Why would mobile operators work with TripAlly? The TripAlly whitepaper explains:
Mobile operators will receive significant revenue from TripAlly. Under a Service License Agreement (SLA) between TripAlly and mobile operators, they will keep portion of revenue from TripAlly Internet services. This means that without any extra work or expenses, mobile operators will increase their customer base and profits.
It goes on to offer a rationale for the alternative revenue stream:
Why would mobile operators consider this alternative revenue stream? Because mobile operators are facing a big challenge competing with new distributive OTT services, such as Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber. Between 2012 to 2018, mobile operators will account for $386 billion USD in lost revenue to OTT services. International roaming revenue is decreasing and becoming less significant for operators to count it as a major revenue stream. This trend can be verified in any major mobile operator’s annual report.
TripAlly will deliver cheap internet services through a mobile application on your existing network SIM card using networks in destination countries. Of course, this will require strong business development on the part of TripAlly. The faster these partnerships are forged, the more likely that investors will back the project.
TripAlly Token
The company is issuing an Ethereum-based token named ALLY, or AllyCoin, which will provide additional payment options for existing clients. Furthermore, ALLY can be resold for profit to users who do not have the token.
Interestingly enough, ALLY is already accepted at more than 200 venues across Bangkok, Thailand. Broader implementation is expected in late 2018.
In addition to facilitating hassle-free internet connection, the ALLY token can also be converted into fiat currency through a network of ATM machines in Southeast Asia. The whitepaper provides a detailed workflow of how this is supposed to work.
For non-ALLY holders, one day of unlimited internet usage will cost $3 USD.
The ICO pre-sale was launched Sept. 17, and will run until Oct. 15. During this period, the ALLY token is available at a 60% discount. The pr-ICO goal is to reach 1,500 ETH by selling 750,000 ALLY tokens. The ICO stage will run from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.