Opportunities and Threats by Mobile Platforms : The (New) Role of Mobile Network Operators

This paper analyzes how new mobile platforms change existing value networks in the mobile service industry and describes how mobile network operators (MNOs) can react to such changes to remain competitive. A state-of-the-art analysis takes stock of mobile platforms provided by, e.g., device manufacturers and Internet companies. The business model of and ecosystem around such platforms are examined. This includes application stores, which are often tied to a mobile platform and enable developers to distribute and monetize their applications. MNOs' efforts to open up towards 3rd parties by exposing network capabilities through APIs are examined. MNOs' joint efforts to decrease fragmentation of their platforms and application stores are analyzed. Based on the results of the analysis, several options for MNOs' potential role in a mobile service industry dominated by mobile platforms are discussed.