The Mobile Context Explored

There is a difference between designing mobile services and designing other electronic services. The specific characteristics of the mobile services domain shape the context in which design choices on business models are made. Whereas the previous chapters discussed service innovation and business model development in general, in this chapter we take a closer look at our core concepts in relation to the mobile services domain.

We begin with a brief discussion of the main characteristics that distinguish mobile services and business models from other electronic services. Next, we describe the trends that are relevant to each of our four business model components, i.e. mobile services offered and adopted; technology trends; resources, roles and models in the organization domain; and financial models, as used within the mobile sector. Finally, we discuss typical classifications of mobile services business models and compare them to other e-business model classifications.