Diffusion of Mobile Terminals in China

Abstract

Diffusion of mobile terminals has induced great societal changes in China. Factors at global market, communications industry and end-user market levels are driving the adoption at a high rate. Firstly, China’s economic emergence together with its accession to WTO has led to foreign investment increase in this industry. Secondly, a parallel deregulation and reengineering of the telecom industry ensured an introduction of competition in the domestic terminals market and facilitated manufacturing in China. Finally, overall growth in China has increased purchasing power, enabling consumers to adopt new technologies. At the market level, challenges and future growth depends on a favorable business environment both for local and multinational organizations, operators and service providers, and most importantly to the distribution channels (retailers and resellers). Market mechanisms such as improvement in payment methods, regulations for content providers, branded and low-end mobile phones marketing, applications and support in Chinese language are required for a systematic and not just sporadic adoption of mobile devices. Product development and innovation, improvement in distribution infrastructure, mobile services operators skill enhancement are some measures that can improve the growth of mobile communications and increase in average consumer spending.