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Technology convergence, market divergence: fragmentation of standards in mobile digital broadcasting carriers

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Abstract

Several standards (DVB-H, MediaFLO, DMB and more) compete for dominance as radio carriers for mobile digital broadcasting. This article argues that there is a drift towards stable fragmentation (co-existence) of these standards. The argument draws on relevant insights from multi-sided market theory and a set of structural (political, regulatory, geographical and technical) constraints influencing the selection and stabilization of standards. A conceptual framework for understanding fragmentation is presented, as well as a review of the potential implications of fragmentation of these standards.

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Notes

  1. ETSI is short for European Telecommunications Standards Institute, a European standards organization.

  2. TIA is short for Telecommunications Industry Association, a trade and standards organization primarily for the US telecommunications industry.

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Correspondence to Håkon Ursin Steen.

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Steen, H.U. Technology convergence, market divergence: fragmentation of standards in mobile digital broadcasting carriers. Inf Syst E-Bus Manage 7, 319–345 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10257-008-0099-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10257-008-0099-8

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