Case Studies in M-Commerce Applications Using Mobile Phones: Potential for Micro & Macro Level User Groups in India

The extension of the use of a mobile phone into electronically transacted commerce seems to be a natural phenomenon that was quite expected. Banking transactions, seat bookings and Short Message Services (SMS) done through mobile phones are a few examples of the rapidly growing m-commerce phenomena the world over. This is also happening in India. However there are clear differences in the very usages of a mobile phone between different User groups. Local culture seems to influence not only local usage patterns but also has potential for innovation. This paper attempts to understand some issues behind the rapid adaptation of the mobile phone through two case studies.