Chapter 2: Assessing the Market Potential of Network-Enabled 3G M-Business Services

Mats Samuelsson, M-B Networks, USA

Nikhilesh Dholakia, University of Rhode Island, USA

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Abstract

Argued in this chapter is that the key differentiators of m-business comprise a set of the experience/function parameters that set m-offerings apart from e-business. "Network-enabling" of m-business by taking advantage of new network-based services that can seamlessly handle many of the service features can add great value to m-business offerings. In network-enabled m-business, business adopters and their end users in the field are freed from the burden of constantly dealing with the challenges of designing, redesigning, configuring, integrating, upgrading, troubleshooting, maintaining, and billing for m-service offerings. A constellation of m-business service offerings that could take advantage of new network-based services is presented. Finally, an approach is suggested to add value and differentiate m-service offerings so that they continue to remain profitable.