Mikko V. J. Heikkinen

Energy efficiency of mobile handsets: Measuring user attitudes and behavior

The purpose of this research is to understand the behavior and expectations of mobile handset users towards energy consumption. We analyze mobile handset monitoring traces from subsequent years with N=253 and 105, and questionnaire studies with N=155 and 150. The data allows us to study both the actual behavior of the users and their explicit attitudes, expectations, and experiences. Additional difference to prior work is the use of longitudinal data from multiple years and a user sample that is much larger than in earlier studies. We present hypotheses drawn both from literature and from our own experience, and use the datasets to support or refute them. Our results indicate that mobile device users need more detailed and clearer information of the battery status and energy consumption. Moreover, users want to understand how different applications and services affect the energy consumption and to learn what they can do to control it.

Consumer Attitudes Towards Energy Consumption of Mobile Phones and Services

We investigated consumer attitudes towards energy consumption of mobile phones and mobile services with a questionnaire study among Finnish university students (N = 150). Our questions covered topics like how battery consumption affected phone and application selection and configuration, what effect different battery levels had on user behavior, what kind of recharging policies were used, how satisfied users were with energy consumption feedback, and what kind of wishes for improvements they had. Battery consumption is clearly important for users when buying mobile phones and choosing applications to use. Importance of energy awareness, energy-driven customization, and energy as a decision criterion stood out as other key themes among the replies.

Measuring Mobile Peer-to-Peer Usage: Case Finland 2007

We study the development of mobile peer-to-peer (MP2P) traffic and the usage of MP2P applications in Finland during 2005-2007. Research data consists of 1) traffic traces measured from three Finnish GSM/UMTS networks covering the Internet-bound mobile data traffic generated by 80-90% of Finnish mobile subscribers (N > 4,000,000), and 2) usage log files collected with a dedicated Symbian handset monitoring application (N = 579). In the traffic trace measurement, we notice almost zero P2P file sharing traffic for handsets, but 9-18% of unidentified traffic, part of which possibly being P2P traffic. Potentially a notable growing trend for computer-based P2P file sharing traffic is visible in GSM/UMTS networks, BitTorrent and eDonkey being the most popular protocols. In the panel study, only Fring, a client to several P2P-based communication services, has significant usage and data volume levels.

Scenario planning for emerging mobile services decision making: mobile Peer-to-Peer Session Initiation Protocol case study

Schoemakers scenario planning is a suitable method for decision making in the context of emerging mobile services. The main challenges in using the method are related to avoiding subjective bias, identifying the most relevant trends, uncertainties and stakeholders and building consistent and coherent scenarios. The method is a systematic way to assess possible future outcomes, but does not provide a detailed understanding of them. Scenario planning serves as a structure for brainstorming sessions, and as a basis for a more detailed analysis using quantitative methods. We applied Schoemakers scenario planning to the emerging mobile Peer-to-Peer Session Initiation Protocol (P2PSIP) communications services. According to our analysis, a potential P2PSIP stakeholder should seek settings where network and legal aspects are the most favourable: ad hoc and private environments without interconnectivity to the internet. A stakeholder considering global service provisioning should evaluate the semi-centralised public global scenario.

Technology evolution of mobile peer-to-peer communications

We built a technology evolution analysis framework for a single case study of mobile peer-to-peer (MP2P) communications. We identified three different evolution paths for MP2P communications: Internet-driven, telecom-driven and proprietary. We used P2PSIP, IMS and Skype respectively to represent the evolution paths. According to our analysis, P2PSIP is an alternative to existing networks in situations where lower costs are desired, IMS is a foundation for operator-controlled services, and proprietary services are the first wave of MP2P communications services. We proposed the evolution of mobile client-server voice over IP services as a significant determinant for the evolution of MP2P communications services.

Scenario Planning of Mobile Peer-to-Peer Service Usage

Scenario planning is used in preliminary forecasting, especially in corporate and military strategy planning. Its purpose is to define the possible directions future may evolve regarding a specific phenomenon. We applied scenario planning to mobile peer-to-peer service usage in Finland during 2008-2012. Our objective was to understand the most relevant factors affecting mobile peer-to-peer service usage. Based on a literature study and a questionnaire study among subject experts, we determined stakeholders, trends and uncertainties relevant to mobile peer-to-peer, and developed scenarios summarizing mobile peer-to-peer service usage.

On the economics of fixed‐mobile convergence

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show that fixed‐mobile convergence (FMC) has gathered much interest in the telecommunications industry lately. Integrated operators (who own both fixed and mobile networks), are keen to exploit FMC benefits in order to save costs and generate new revenues. This paper aims to analyze the effects of converged network and service environment on the business of existing telecommunication operators.Design/methodology/approach – After an introduction to the regulatory, market, and technology related issues of convergence, the authors focus on analyzing the role of FMC technologies and services in their businesses of an integrated operator with existing fixed and mobile operations in a large Western European country.Findings – Results reveal that an integrated operator can benefit from cost savings, customer retention and prevent revenue erosion by migrating to FMC.Originality/value – This paper examines the effects of fixed‐mobile convergence to an integrated operator.

Consumer Attitudes towards Different Aspects of Mobile Peer-to-Peer Services

We studied consumer attitudes towards different aspects of mobile peer-to-peer services by administering questionnaires to Finnish consumers using advanced handsets (N = 196). Most of the intention to use non-established services did not materialize as actual usage. Music and software downloading attracted most payment willingness. Legal file sharing stood out as a promising new business model. Respondents estimated battery consumption of different services reasonably. Respondents were more sensitive to increasing energy consumption than delay in different service designs. Respondents were willing to share content, presence data and location data with 30-50 % of their active contacts.

Value analysis of centralized and distributed communications and video streaming

Purpose – When comparing novel centralized and distributed communications and video streaming services, the authors identified a need for a theoretic framework to position a multitude of ICT services and technologies according to their value proposition. Literature does not integrate existing value analysis concepts into a holistic theoretical framework. This paper aims to address this shortcoming by proposing a value analysis framework for ICT services capable of describing the value exchanges between different actors and their role constellations based on technological componentizations.Design/methodology/approach – The paper evaluates a representative selection of communications and video streaming services and an extensive literature study on existing value analysis research was conducted to develop the framework and to verify it.Findings – The paper demonstrates the applicability of the value analysis framework in communications and video streaming case studies, which are technically very different f...

Value in technology evolution: case mobile peer‐to‐peer communications

Purpose – Mobile peer‐to‐peer communications is an essential phase in the evolution of mobile communications technologies, motivating this research which aims to focus on how established industry stakeholders and new entrants can adapt themselves to the new situation.Design/methodology/approach – Based on existing literature, the authors identified three distinctive evolution paths for mobile peer‐to‐peer communications and developed an analysis framework for their comparison. The authors validated the analysis by conducting a questionnaire study among domain experts, and analyzed its results using statistical analysis.Findings – Internet‐driven evolution has high value proposition, is profitable and has subscription fees as an important revenue model. Telecom‐driven evolution creates value, leverages markets, leverages competence, is likely to encounter regulatory intervention and benefits all customer segments. Proprietary evolution has a successful revenue model, results in alliances of competitors and...