Describing the Critical Factors for Creating Successful Mobile Data Services

Abstract

Mobile operators play a central role in the development of the mobile data services market. They have primary access to the customer relationship, a key source of revenue, and are responsible for how revenue is distributed to other participants in the value chain. As a result, a successful operator-driven business model is essential to the survival of the mobile data industry. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the critical factors that have influenced the results of operators based on countries that have been at the forefront of mobile data services innovation. Then, by comparing the key characteristics of operator-driven business models in these four cases around the world, we will describe the critical factors used in designing successful mobile data services.