Tag: mobile commerce news

eBay predicts big losses for UK economy during holidays

| November 3, 2012

 

ebay christmaseBay cites mobile connectivity for economic loss

The Christmas season is almost here, and many consumers are expected to rely heavily on their mobile devices to get their holiday shopping done. The holiday season has long been a major occasion for the retail industry, and this continues to be the case in the advent of mobile commerce. More consumers are making use of the smart phones and other mobile devices to purchase products. This has created a promising opportunity for some retailers, but it may cause some trouble for those in the United Kingdom. According to eBay, the UK economy stands to lose this year because of problems concerning mobile commerce and connectivity.

Slow connection speeds discourage consumers to participate in mobile commerce

Famed online retailer eBay claims that slow mobile connection speeds, caused by the lack of a universal 4G service, will cost the UK economy more than $150 million during the holiday season. The retailer believes that the average mobile download speeds throughout the country are not conducive to supporting consumers who want to make a purchase using their smart phone. The country’s first 4G network was launched earlier this week by Everything Everywhere, bringing high-speed connection to 11 cities in the UK, but this network has not yet matured enough to be considered viable for holiday shoppers.

4G connectivity could boost sales to nearly $800 million

eBay predicts that more than a third of all Christmas gifts will be purchased online using a smart phone, even from those that do not have access to a 4G network. If mobile networks were to improve the speeds they provide to consumers, establishing 4G connectivity throughout more of the country, eBay suggests that sales could rise from roughly $600 million to nearly $800 million.

Consumers continue to show interest in mobile commerce

Consumers in the United Kingdom have shown a great deal of interest in mobile commerce. Mobile commerce services have provided many of these consumers with a more convenient way to pay for the products that they love. If mobile networks do not take mobile commerce more seriously, especially in the realm of mobile connectivity, they may stand to lose during this year’s Christmas shopping frenzy.

China Mobile to launch mobile commerce initiative in 2013

| November 1, 2012

China Mobile

China Mobile announces plans to bring mobile commerce to 12 Chinese provinces

China Mobile, the world’s largest mobile network operator, is preparing to rollout its first mobile payments initiative in February 2013. The company has begun stockpiling NFC-enabled smart phones, provided by eight of the world’s largest smart phone manufacturers, in order to prepare for the launch of the initiative next year. The company has announced that it will introduce new NFC services to 12 provinces in China as part of its mobile commerce initiative, making its NFC-enabled mobile devices to consumers at the time of launch.

China Mobile teams with China UnionPay for initiative

The initiative represents a partnership between China Mobile and China UnionPay, a leading commerce network. The two companies are keen to address the growing demand for mobile commerce services coming from China Mobile’s more than 690 million subscribers. These consumers are eager to make purchases for goods and services using their mobile device rather than physical currency or payments cards. The common consensus is that mobile commerce platforms will be a more convenient way to conduct transactions.

NFC-enabled mobile devices to be sold late 2012 and throughout 2013

In 2013, China Mobile aims to sell more than 10 million NFC-enabled mobile devices. Many of these devices will come from Samsung, HTC, Huawei, and ZTE, and will actually be available near the end of 2012. The bulk of these devices will be sold during 2013, alongside the launch of the new mobile commerce initiative. Once the initiative is launched, China will have one of the most expansive mobile commerce infrastructures in the world.

Security precautions still unclear from China Mobile

China Mobile has not yet detailed the security measures it is taking with its mobile commerce initiative. Security remains one of the most significant issues concerning mobile commerce. Without adequate security, consumers will find their financial information at risk of theft and exploitation. In other parts of the world, concerns regarding security have served to stymie the progress of the mobile commerce industry and keep many consumers away from mobile payments entirely.