Cheap Smartphones Will Be the Real Stars of Mobile World Congress

A tidal wave is about to hit the mobile world

If it were just Samsung's imminent launch of its flagship Galaxy S5 smartphone, that would already be enough to make a big splash in customers' minds, wash away last year's models and get competitors reeling in its wake. But this year's Mobile World Congress, which begins Sunday, takes on even more relevance this year.

The mobile industry is at a crossroads. Several, actually (more on that in a minute), but its most pressing issue is how the industry will persuade the next billion people — mainly folks in places like India, Indonesia, Africa and South America — to buy a smartphone. Everyone sees great potential in these markets, especially as devices get cheaper and cheaper. Read more...