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Definitions[]

Mobile commerce (also known as m-commerce, mCommerce or u-commerce, owing to the ubiquitous nature of its services) means

commercial transactions and communication activities conducted through wireless communication services and networks by means of short message services ("SMS"), multimedia messaging service ("MMS"), or the Internet, using small, handheld mobile devices that typically have been used for telephonic communications.[1]
a business model which allows a consumer to complete a commercial transaction using a mobile device, either at a point of sale (e.g. payments made through NFC-technology), or remotely (e.g. through SMS payments or payments charged on mobile operators' bills).[2]

Overview[]

"While mobile commerce does not as such require Internet access, ever more m-commerce transactions occur by means of communications system protocols (such as Web (HTML, TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol ('WAP') and i-mode) and phones connected to wireless communications networks (e.g. '3G'). In addition, an increasing number of personal data devices or smart phones are now able to support wireless telephonic communications."[3]

"The history of m-commerce began in the early 2000s, when retailers started offering mobile device add-ons such as ringtones, games, wallpapers and screensavers. By 2009, the offers over mobile phones had evolved significantly. Specifically, out of all consumers that purchased goods through m-commerce channels in the United States: 58% purchased digital content (such as music or apps), 51% consumer electronics, 37% computers/laptops/related equipment, 36% books, 31% apparel and 20% jewelry."[4]

References[]

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