Market Configuration and the Success of Mobile Services: Lessons from Japan and Finland

Abstract

This chapter introduces a novel analytical framework called Mobile Services Matrix (MOSIM), which is used as the basis of a comparative analysis between the Japanese and the Finnish mobile services markets. The results indicate that as the mobile industry shifts from highly standardized voice services towards more complex mobile data services, the vertical/integrated market configuration (i.e., the Japanese model) appears to be more successful than the horizontal/modular configuration (i.e., the Finnish model). A brief overview of the UK market shows that the leading UK mobile network operators are transforming the industry towards a more vertical, operator-driven market configuration. The role of national regulatory framework in this industry evolution process is discussed.