M-Commerce

M-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services through a mobile device. It is also known as the next-generation e-commerce, m-commerce enables users to access the Internet without needing to find a place to plug in. The emerging technology behind m-commerce, which is based on the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP).

In order to exploit the m-commerce market potential, handset manufacturers such as Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, and Qualcomm are working with carriers such as AT&T Wireless and Sprint to develop WAP-enabled smart phones, the industry's answer to the Swiss Army Knife, and ways to reach them. Using Bluetooth technology, smart phones offer fax, e-mail, and phone capabilities all in one, paving the way for m-commerce to be accepted by an increasingly mobile workforce.

As connection for wireless devices becomes faster, more secure, and scalable, there is wide speculation that m-commerce will surpass wireline e-commerce as the method of choice for digital commerce transactions. The industries which may be affected by m-commerce includes:

1. Financial services
   This includes mobile banking as well as brokerage.


2. Telecommunications
   Payment of bills and account details can be conducted via the same mobile device.
   


3. Information services
   Financial news, sports figures and traffic updates can be viewed using mobile devices.

Reference:

http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid40_gci214590,00.html