Technology convergence, market divergence: fragmentation of standards in mobile digital broadcasting carriers
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.
convergence multi-sided markets mobile tv standards fragmentation standards wars