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1. T. Smura, Access alternatives to mobile services and content: analysis of handset-based smartphone usage data, in ITS 17th Biennial Conference, Montreal, Canada, June 24-27, 2008, 2008 (bib)

   Abstract: The number of radio interfaces in mobile devices is constantly increasing. In addition to the continuously evolving family of 3GPP standards, technologies such as WLANs and DVB-H provide alternative means to access content and services in the network. Furthermore, as memory cards and hard drives continue to increase in capacity, more and more content can be stored in the device and viewed or played back when wanted. Due to the increasing number of alternatives, considerable uncertainty exists regarding the dominant ways of accessing different types of mobile services and content in the future. The preference of users regarding device formats (e.g. mobile phones, ultra-mobile PCs, laptops) and access technologies (e.g. WLAN, 3G) in different locations and contexts has a significant effect on the business of mobile operators and vendors, as well as content providers and advertisers. This paper discusses the current and future role of alternative radio accesses and off-line use in accessing different types of mobile content and services. In the analysis, smartphone usage data collected from Finnish consumers is utilized, demonstrating the possibilities of a handset-based measurement platform in collecting rich data about the usage of alternative access methods. The results highlight the role of indoor access solutions for accessing mobile services and content in the future.