Wal-Mart
The push seems to be working rather well for the company. According to market research firm ComScore, recent consumer surveys show Wal-Mart in first place in the indirect retail channel of wireless devices, leading Best Buy
The Bentonville behemoth is also dipping its toes in the fast-growing prepaid phone service market, with its StraightTalk brand (in a partnership with TracFone Wireless), and its newly launched Common Cents Mobile brand (with Sprint as partner). As the "Wal-Mart Wireless" initiative grows, and the company expands and diversifies its wireless offerings, investors should keep an eye on Wal-Mart as a key driver of the increasing commoditization of wireless communications.