E-Commerce Concepts
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deal even while in transit or far away from the actual store location. Thus, shopping model
allows retailers to generate additional revenues through mobile shopping and can improve
their profit margins.
(4) Content Provider Model
In this model, mobile service providers offer a variety of entertainment content such as
breaking news, weather forecast, traffic information, music, mobile games, TV shows, video
content, movies, etc., which can be downloaded to users' mobile devices. Network operators
are connected to various content providers and offer mobile customers both subscription-
based services and pay-per-use services. Location-based services, such as map-based
navigational services, discount coupons offered in local retail stores or restaurants, news of
local events, etc. are also delivered in customer mobile devices. The revenue is generated
through subscription fees (for news, traffic/weather updates, movies, and games), usage fees
(TV shows, videos, games etc.) or data download fees (for e-mails, e-books, etc.). Various
media houses, press agencies or content aggregators follow this model in order to generate
additional income via the mobile channel.
1.8 E-COMMERCE V/S. M-COMMERCE
E-Commerce M-Commerce
The process of buying and selling products or
services over the internet by using personal
computers or laptops is called as E-commerce. It
refers to ‘Electronic commerce’.
The process of buying and selling products or
services over the internet by using wireless
handheld devices (like- mobile phones or
tablets) is called as M-commerce. It refers to
‘Mobile Commerce’.
E-commerce activities are performed with the
help of desktop computers and laptops.
M-commerce activities are performed with the
help of mobile devices like- smartphones,
tablets, PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistant) etc.
E-commerce is an older concept developed in
1970’s.
M-commerce is a newer concept developed in
1990’s. It is actually a subset of e-commerce.
In e-commerce, the use of internet is
mandatory.
In case of m-commerce, some activities can be
performed without internet also. Like- Sending
SMS to promote a product/service via. Mobile.
Its reachability is comparatively low than the
m-commerce as it is not so good in portability.
Its reachability is more than that of e-
commerce only due to the use of mobile
devices.