Towards a Classification Framework for Mobile Location Based Services

Abstract

The emerging world of mobile commerce is characterized by a multiplicity of exciting new technologies, applications, and services. Among the most promising ones will be the ability to identify the exact geographical location of a mobile user at any time. This ability opens the door to a new world of innovative services, which are commonly referred to as Mobile Location Services (MLS). This chapter aims at exploring the fascinating world of MLS, identifying the most pertinent issues that will determine its future potential, and laying down the foundation of a new field of research and practice. The contribution of our analysis is encapsulated into a novel classification of mobile location services that can serve both as an analytical toolkit and an actionable framework that systemizes our understanding of MLS applications, underlying technologies, business models, and pricing schemes.