Analyze the structure of the mobile technology industry How

Analyze the structure of the mobile technology industry. How has it evolved in recent years?

Solution

As a consumer technology, mobile communications has been quickly adopted by consumers.

The structure of mobile technology starts with the mobile network infrastructure. It consists of towers which are used to transmit signals. Use of core technology like 2G, 3G and 4G is the base of the structure.

The key players in the mobile technology industry\'s value chain are: innovators for the core communications technologies, component designers and manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), infrastructure suppliers, mobile network operators, content providers, mobile app developers, and device retailers.

Evolution: Mobile technology started with basic serviceds of voice calls, then moved to SMS and now the use of applications (apps) is prominent on a global scale. These days there are apps for shopping, medical advice, weather, news, travle related apps.

In terms of speed and core technology, the mobile users started with 2G, then moved to 3G. Many countries are now roling out the 4G technology.

In terms of cost to the consumers, the figure has been falling constantly. In 2006, cost of data per megabyte was $8, which fell down to $1 in the year 2010. (source: Cisco).

In terms of applicability, consumers these days use mobile technology for diverse activities like banking, holding mobile wallets, making video calls, etc. The applicability of moble technology, in its initial days was limited to calling and sending messages.