• Journal of the Korean Operations Research and Management Science Society
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.185-204
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• 2009

The USIM(universal subscriber identity module)-unlock introducing in July 1, 2008 might be led to a significant change that mobile service provider's dominance is considerably dispersed to the handset manufacturer and distributor. Under USIM-unlock environment, mobile service provider, handset manufacturer, and distributor have to make their decisions on their handset distribution channel strategies: the closed distribution channel strategy or the open distribution channel strategy. The change of distribution channel strategy between members in distribution channel can be understood as a matter of strategy choice, and we have developed a theoretical model and analyzed how to make a decision for the member's optimal distribution strategy based on 3-person game model between members of mobile phone distribution channel, under both of '1 subscriber-1 handset' and '1 subscriber-multiple handset' assumptions. Under '1 subscriber-1 handset' assumption, the closed strategy controlled by mobile service provider is all players' optimal solution because the maximum size of the mobile phone market is limited by subscribers. But, as total expected profit by the handset and distribution subsides is a deficit, mobile service provider have to choose the open strategy and consider the conversion to MNO(mobile network operator). Under '1 subscriber-multiple handset' assumption, mobile service provider is trying to find the way how to lock-in its service and mobile phone and how to maximize ARPU(average revenue per unit), while handset manufacturer and distributor have to look for the way how to maximize the mobile phone market using their own marketing efforts, because it is expected that total mobile handset demand for the open market is bigger than demand for the closed market under '1 subscriber-multiple handset' assumption.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.31-48
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• 2006

This study was motivated by a recent channel conflict on subsidies for mobile handset between a service provider and a handset manufacturer in the mobile communication market. In this study, we have developed a two-person non-zero sum game for the channel conflict on subsidies for mobile handset, and derived its optimal strategic game solution. As a result, we have found that, between the service operator and the handset manufacturer, one who has high level of market leadership in his own market has a power to affect the optimal strategic game solution. We have also found that, when the service operator and the handset manufacturer have relatively high level of market leadership in their own market, there exist both of potential channel conflict and cooperation. The result of this study may provide an effective reference for a solution of similar channel conflicts.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.621-630
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• 2006

Observation of the effects of a handset subsidy on the mobile telecommunication industry has revealed two different aspects. The activation of various mobile services and the handset market, has led to the rapid acceleration of the related technological development, which is a desirable result, while rising prices and the overspending of related resources are undesirable. A great deal of research has been conducted to assess both desirable and undesirable factors using qualitative methods. However, quantitative studies into the effects of a handset subsidy are rare. In this study, we consider the positive and negative effects on consumer welfare of a change in demand and prices brought about by a handset subsidy. Then, we quantitatively compare the positive and negative effects and analyze their direct effects on consumer welfare.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.835-840
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• 2014

New ways of achieving small, multiband, multifunctional, and standard solutions for mobile handset antennas are demanded in the current wireless market. A non-resonant element of $5mm{\times}5mm{\times}5mm$, a matching network, and a $100mm{\times}40mm$ slotted ground plane are proposed to satisfy mobile market demands that require multiband operation and small antenna solutions. The main advantage of the proposed design is that with only one non-resonant element of considerably small size ($0.015{\lambda}$, 900 MHz), the handset is capable of providing operation at mobile bands.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.321-331
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• 2013

High-tech markets are unpredictable owing to rapid technology innovation, diverse customer needs, high competition, and other elements. Many scholars have attempted to explain the uncertainty in high-tech markets using their own various approaches. However, sufficiently clear ways to predict diverse changes and trends in high-tech markets have yet to be presented. Thus, this paper proposes a new approach model, that is, systematic market segmentation, to give more accurate information. Using an empirical dataset from the mobile handset market in the Republic of Korea, we conduct our research model consisting of three steps. First, we categorize nine basic segments. Second, we test the stability of these segments. Finally, we profile the characteristics of the customers and products. We conclude that the approach is able to offer more diagnostic information to both practitioners and scholars. It is expected to provide rich information for an appropriate marketing mix in practice.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.947-951
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• 2008

Subsidiary business between mobile carriers and handset manufacturers has been banned by Korean regulator due to the concern that it may cause the unfair competition in the market. But the opinion that the current regulation has to be consolidated is increasing to follow recent market trends, ensuer the fair competition and increase the users' benefit. In this paper, I analysed trends of the mobile telecommunication market and proposed desirable direction of regulatory improvement.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.1856-1862
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• 2010

Last rapidly changing mobile handset market in many industries, as well as market conditions affect the prevalence of various content types of consumer spending in general is affecting. Changes in mobile handset market by separating the various consumer-tier analysis, or differentiated in consumers' purchasing behavior are being reflected in the property analysis and overview of customer satisfaction can be assessed by measuring. These mobile devices and the purchase of the devices to investigate the tendency to analyze and weigh the various content industries, you can see how important one can be considered. The development of mobile communication systems and wireless internet and multimedia applications can lead the industry accelerated. In this study, tried to investigate that the mobile communication systems in consideration of the special form of mobile handsets, and customer satisfaction of mobile phone handsets, and the relationship between customer loyalty. Outcome of this study, the mobile properties and the mobile handset brand, price, design and related details to be statistically significant variables were analyzed. In this study, the characteristics of future mobile handset market with a wide range of content-based guidelines for the development of the industry is expected to be able to provide.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.109-120
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• 2010

Mobile phone-related industries have been mainly concentrated on attracting the new customers and increasing the market share such as for the aggressive marketing activities, but it is the time to find an effective strategy to preserve existing customers since the mobile phone market had already reached the saturation. In this study, the properties of mobile phone that influence on the choice of handset and telecom company were analyzed. General properties of respondents were explored and the mobile phone properties were grouped by common factors. And analyzed the effect of factors on customer satisfaction with structural equation model. 10.4% of respondents are used their handset more than two years and 48.7% wanted to purchase other manufacturer's handset if they repurchase mobile phone. These results might come form the fact that the life cycle of mobile phone become shorter by the heating competition in mobile phone market and, to some degree, the influence of smart phone which recently become globally popular. Four factors, 'Hardware Quality', 'Practicality', 'Convergence Functions' and 'Level of Awareness', are induced from the mobile phone properties. In Structural Equation Model analysis, 'Hardware Quality' and 'Practicality' have significant and positive effects on Customer Satisfaction. But, 'Awareness' such as brand and trend appeared quite less influence on the customer satisfaction.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.81-96
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• 2016

This study analyzes how breach fee under long-term contract and/or cap regulation on the breach fee can affect the impacts of "Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act" on handset bundle price, average revenue per unit (ARPU), and social welfare. We conduct comparative analysis with an economic model of duopoly competition in price when users are under long-term contract and the breach fee can be regulated. The results show that the Act lowers the equilibrium prices, lower than incumbent price without the Act. Price of non-dominant Mobile Network Operator (MNO) can be lower than poaching price without the Act if significant portion of switching cost is breach fee or the market is significantly asymmetric. Under the significant circumstances, the Act can raise ARPU even though it improves social welfare. By contrast, the Act increases consumer surplus without affecting social welfare if breach fee is the only source of user's switching cost and is capped by the regulation, and more symmetric market and the stronger cap leads to higher consumer surplus.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.53-60
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• 2017

Purpose - This paper analyzes the effect of the handset subsidy and the Mobile Number Portability subscriber subsidy regulation, which are the main regulation adopted in "Law on the Improvement of the Mobile Terminal Distribution System" (Mobile Terminal Distribution Act), on the social surplus, the consumer surplus and profits of telecommunications carriers. We focus our analysis on whether the service charge competition is stimulated enough so that it can compensate for the loss of subsidies. Research design, data, and methodology - We use simple economic model to assess the impact of the handset subsidy and the Mobile Number Portability subscriber subsidy regulation. Unlike the former researches on this topic, we depart from using Hotelling model, and instead use the switching cost model, which uses switching cost as a parameter of market powers of telecommunications carriers. We also study the effect of the two different regulations when they are adopted both independently and concurrently. Results - If the market powers of telecommunications carriers are over certain threshold, contrary to the regulatory agency's assertion, the service charge competition would not be stimulated enough to compensate for the deduction in the subsidies, and thus the consumer surplus is compromised. Number Portability subsidy, especially, undermines the rival's market power and thus reduces the service charge. On the other hand, the regulations will also increase the profits of telecommunications carriers. However, social surplus is maximized when both of the regulations are present because the regulations reduces the frequency of switching handsets inefficiently. Conclusions - In enacting the Mobile Terminal Distribution Act, the telecommunications regulatory agency asserted that the regulation on subsidies will stimulate service charge competition, and in the long run, enhance the consumer surplus. However, contrary to the regulatory agency's assertion, subsidy regulation, especially the regulation on Number Portability subsidy, reduces consumer surplus. On the other hand, the Mobile Terminal Distribution Act can also increase the profits of telecommunications carriers because it decreases competition among the telecommunications carriers. However, the Mobile Terminal Distribution Act can increase the social surplus because it reduces inefficient switching of handsets.