eBay 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.
