Mobile Internet revenues: an empirical study of the I‐mode portal

Third‐generation mobile networks will be characterized by the convergence of the wireless, the fixed Internet and the media industries. Expectations on agents’ ability to generate revenues (and profits) within this technological intersection are high and will be further geared up by the future broadband capacity. Previous experience from the fixed side points to problems for content providers to charge for their products. The easy reproducibility of content has often forced its providers to offer it free of charge. It has therefore generated little revenue. The question, however, is whether this pricing problem will continue on the wireless side with the introduction of mobile Internet. This paper examines the revenues of I‐mode for an answer and uses the theory of the experimentally organized economy and innovative pricing to arrive at an answer. The conclusions are supported by 650 interviews, 450 of which are I‐mode users and 200 potential users of the service.