Directions 2006 - Agenda for a Shrinking Globe: Seizing Opportunities in a Connected World - mCommerce Trends in Asia/Pacific

This IDC update provides an overview of the mobile commerce (mcommerce) market across the Asia/Pacific region, describing past and current experiences, key initiatives, and where we see this market moving forward. mCommerce refers to the ability or methodology to conduct commerce transactions (i.e., purchases of and payments for goods or services, physical or virtual, via a mobile device [e.g., mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, or even notebooks] while on the move. Micro payments are an integral part of mcommerce and telecommunications operators have been managing micro billing and micro payments with their capable billing systems for many years now. The dramatic growth in the demand for mobile contents in recent times, coinciding with the introduction of GPRS and 3G technology and handsets with more features, is a key driver behind the interest in mcommerce. In many markets in Asia, the number of mobile handsets far outweighs the number of PC users, and the mobile device is key to accessing the Internet world. The content market, led initially by downloads such as ringtones, wallpapers, and music can all be selected, purchased, and downloaded via mobile devices without the need for a PC or broadband connection. As mobile search mechanisms become more advanced and intuitive, a broader market of contents will become available. This means more excitement, interest, and opportunities in the mobile content and payment markets.