Originally published as Info Volume 8 Number 4, 2006
ISBN: 1 84663 066 5
Guest Edited by: Christopher Palmberg and Erik Bohlin
This Special Issue highlights interesting viewpoints both on the possible future evolution of the mobile telecommunications industry in general, as well as on the past development and present challenges that the Nordic countries face.
Contents:
Next generation mobile telecommunications networks: challenges to the Nordic ICT industries
The competitive environment of the Nordic ICT industries has changed and is far more complex now compared to the previous single-standard environment of 2G. The avenues for influencing competition between basic technology platforms and standards are much narrower and involve interaction with a much greater number of stakeholders and technologies on a global level.
3G Standards: the battle between WCDMA and CDMA2000
The main purpose of this paper is to analyze which standard/technology will win the 3G mobile markets. In addition, two sub topics are examined. First, which kind of victory will it be – will one technological solution be all-dominating or is co-existence more likely? Second, which are the most decisive factors in the battle between the different standards – which roles do respectively technology path-dependence, network effects and strategic concerns play?
Complementarities creating substitutes – possible paths towards 3G, WLAN/WiMAX and ad hoc networks
This paper presents a systematic analysis of the competition between 3G, WLAN/WiMAX and ad hoc network technologies. A novelty in the analysis is that it incorporates both network access technologies and applications.
Standards dynamics and industrial organization in the mobile telecom sector
The purpose of this mainly conceptual paper is to analyze key changes in the institutional setting for standardization and to discuss what they indicate about further developments of the mobile sector. The intention is that this conceptual analysis will complement and contextualize the analysis of Nordic players found in the other papers of this special issue.
Innovation system dynamics in the Swedish telecom sector
This paper develops a functional approach to innovation systems analysis, where six basic interdependent functions need to be served for a new technology to be developed and diffused and for a supporting industry to evolve. The sector is divided into four major sub-sectors: traditional fixed telecom; mobile telephony; fixed data communications (including internet); and mobile data communications (including mobile internet).
Diversification in response to ICT convergence – indigenous capabilities versus R&D alliances of the Finnish telecom industry
The ICT industry as a whole is undergoing a potentially disruptive phase of development due to the convergence between information and telecom technologies and the rapid diffusion of internet-related applications. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is to analyze recent patterns of internal/indigenous and external diversification of prominent Finnish telecom firms using data on patents and strategic R&D alliances.
The Danish ICT sector in an international perspective: a mismatch between demand and supply
The Danish ICT sector is characterised by high skill levels and advanced demand while the supply side is lacking behind. However, opportunities are found in the emerging next generation mobile communication network standard due to a combination of a broad skill base, influence of US firms and relatively lesser vested interests in previous generation networks, standards and business models.
About Info
Info is a bi-monthly international journal concerned with the economic, social, political and regulatory aspects of the emerging tele-information economy. Info is an important vehicle for the discussion of information age issues and the publication of research, business analysis and policy thinking relevant to policy makers, business strategists and academic researchers.
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