Tag: europe

Mobile commerce hits language barriers in Europe

| June 16, 2013

Language proves to be a hurdle for mobile commerce

Mobile commerce has managed to make major progress in the U.S. and Japan, but in Europe, mobile commerce has met with significant challenges that extend well beyond issues concerning security and efficiency. Language and infrastructure have proven to be the most complicated problems faced by the mobile commerce sector in Europe. Both the U.S. and Japan enjoy universal e-commerce markets due to the fact that both countries have a predominant language. Europe, however, is filled with countries that have very different languages from one another, making it difficult to create a universal mobile commerce ecosystem.

Universal market in Europe has yet to take form

European countries tend to be homes to national markets that do not synergize well beyond the boundaries of the countries they take form in. Such markets are meant to appeal to those that live in particular countries, of course, but this tends to create some division when it comes to universal commerce. For instance, those from countries where English is not a prominent language could have trouble participating in mobile commerce in countries like the United Kingdom, where most commerce services are based on the English language.

Mobile Commerce Europe - Language IssuesEurope 500 aims to solve the language problem

In order to address this issue, Europe 500, a conglomeration comprised of many large European companies, has begun to leverage its various investments to provide better localization to e-commerce sites in various countries throughout the European Union. This is expected to help make it easier for consumers to participate in mobile commerce no matter where they are in Europe by providing them with services that are based on their native language.

Localization is a costly venture for some

Making mobile commerce universal is no small task. Europe 500 is comprised of many companies, some of which have heavily invested in mobile commerce in the past. Despite the apparent interests that these companies have in mobile commerce, localization and bolstering infrastructure is not an inexpensive task. Many companies may be inclined to continue supporting national markets in an effort to save money.

New partnership in Spain may boost mobile commerce

| June 9, 2013

Telefonica launches new venture to promote mobile commerce in Spain

Telefonica, a leading Spanish telecommunications company, has announced a new partnership with CaixaBank and Santander in order to create a joint venture that aims to develop a new mobile banking solution that include launching a mobile wallet service for consumers. Mobile commerce has been showing strong growth throughout Europe, leading many telecommunications companies to make their way into this space in order to meet the changing needs of consumers. Banks have also been taking note of this trend and have been following in the footsteps of telecommunications companies.

Joint venture may be the largest of its kind in Europe

Telefonica claims that its new joint venture is the largest of its kind in Europe and suggests that the endeavor will help make mobile commerce more common in Spain. The initial stages of the joint venture are meant to target more than 600,000 businesses in Spain, offering these businesses various mobile commerce services that will allow them to engage consumers in a more dynamic way. The joint venture will eventually see international expansion as it becomes more popular.

mobile commerce partnership spainMobile wallets are gaining consumer support

The mobile wallet associated with the joint venture will serve as a platform to allow consumers to make mobile payments for goods and services. It will also facilitate person-to-person money transfers. Mobile wallets have been growing in popularity among consumers as they offer a convenient way to store and use financial information without having to deal with a variety of plastic cards or cash. While mobile wallets have been met with modest interest in the U.S., European consumers have proven to be more accommodating of these applications.

Telefonica continues to support mobile commerce

Telefonica has experience in the field of mobile commerce and CaixaBank and Santander are not the first banks to partner with the telecommunications company in this field. Telefonica has been one of the chief supporters of mobile commerce in Spain for the past few years and has been working aggressively with many banks and financial service institutions to develop convenient platforms for consumers.