Nokia finds some stability in China
Finnish mobile device maker Nokia has been having trouble in numerous markets recently. The company may be a well known name in the field of mobile technology with its wide range of products and impressive smart phone portfolio, but it has experienced a difficult year in regards to its latest projects. Many of the company’s latest smart phones have been the subject of aggressive hype, but consumers have responded poorly to these products when they reached the market. China is one of the countries where Nokia has been seeing some success, but the Chinese market may not be enough to revitalize the company.
Growth in China may be due to mobile commerce
The Chinese market accounts for one-third of the world’s smart phone shipments. Mobile technology is in very high demand with consumers, especially those that are becoming more interested in mobile commerce. Nokia is one of the few smart phone makers that develops devices that are equipped with NFC technology. Much of mobile commerce revolves around the use of NFC technology, which is capable of transforming a smart phone into a mobile payment platform.
Consumers not yet won over by high-end Lumia phones
While the demand for mobile commerce has been growing among Chinese consumers, Nokia has had trouble establishing a strong foothold within the country. In the third quarter of 2012, Nokia likely sold fewer than 500,000 devices from its Lumia line in China. Less than 100,000 of these are estimated to be high-end Lumia devices, such as those equipped with NFC technology, like the 820.
China Mobile deal could help boost Nokia performance
Nokia is expected to see some major gains in China due to a new deal with China Mobile, the country’s largest mobile network operator. Per the deal with China Mobile, Nokia will begin selling a localized version of its high-powered Lumia 920 smart phone, which is equipped with NFC technology. This deal with China Mobile could increase the sale of high-end mobile device in the country by as much as 50%.
Investments and acquisitions power Monetise mobile commerce push
United Kingdom-based mobile commerce firm Monetise has announced that it has raised more than $130 million in investments by offering more than 333 million ordinary shares to institutional investors. The firm has plans to use the funding it has raised to strengthen its mobile commerce business. Monetise has also announced that it will be taking over operation of Mobile Money Network, a mobile e-commerce service in the UK which was acquired for some $20 million.
Firm aims to take advantage of growth in mobile commerce and banking
Monetise is working to position itself to take advantage of the growing popularity of mobile commerce and banking. The global banking industry has been showing a great deal of interest in mobile commerce recently and has been investing heavily in the development of new platforms and applications that will address the needs of mobile consumers. Monetise believes that are many promising opportunities to expand its mobile commerce arm as interest from banks and other financial groups grows.
Funds to boost company’s mobile commerce business
Monetise plans to rapidly scale up its businesses in order to bolster its mobile commerce capabilities. The company will be relying heavily on the Mobile Money Network in order to reach out to businesses and consumers throughout the United Kingdom. The company has already established itself as a leader in mobile commerce in the UK market and Monetise is eager to further solidify its position as such in the coming years. The funds garnered through investments will help with this endeavor by enabling the company to develop new services and improve those that already exist.
Strong competition may be faced in the future
Mobile commerce is quickly becoming one of the most prominent industries in the world. More consumers are getting their hands on mobile devices, thus the demand for mobile commerce services is on the rise. Monetise, and companies like it, is working to address this demand and expects to see major gains in doing so. Though Monetise has established a strong position in the UK market, the company will face strong competition from larger companies if it decides to take on a more global position.
