Mobile computing is becoming increasingly important, due to the rise in the number of portable computers and the desire to have continuous network connectivity to the Internet, irrespective of the physical location of the node. We have also seen a steady growth of the market for wireless communication devices. Such devices can only have the effect of increasing the options for making connections to the global Internet. The Internet infrastructure is built on top of a collection of protocols called the TCP/IP protocol suite. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP) are the core protocols in this suite. There are currently two standards: one to support the current IPv4 and one for the upcoming IPv6 [1]. IP requires the location of any node connected to the Internet to be uniquely identified by an assigned IP address. This raises one of the most important issues in mobility because, when a node moves to another physical location, it has to change its IP address. However, the higher-level protocols require the IP address of a node to be fixed for identifying connections. The Mobile Internet Protocol (Mobile IP) is an extension to the Internet Protocol proposed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) that addresses this issue. It enables mobile devices to stay connected to the Internet regardless of their locations, without changing their IP addresses and, therefore, an ongoing IP session will not be interrupted [2, 3, 4]. More precisely, Mobile IP is a standard protocol that builds on the Internet Protocol by making mobility transparent to applications and higher-level protocols like TCP. However, before Mobile IP can be broadly deployed, there are still several technical barriers, such as long handover periods and packet loss that have to be overcome, in addition to other technical obstacles, including handover performance, security issues and routing efficiency [7]. This study presents an investigation into developing new handover mechanisms based on link layer information in Mobile IP and fast handover in Mobile IPv6 environments. The main goal of the developed mechanisms is to improve the overall IP mobility performance by reducing packet loss, minimizing signalling overheads and reducing the handover processing time. These models include the development of a cross-layer handover scheme using link layer information and Mobile Node (MN) location information to improve the performance of the communication system by reducing transmission delay, packet loss and registration signalling overheads. Finally, the new schemes are developed, tested and validated through a set of experiments to demonstrate the relative merits and capabilities of these schemes.

針對行動網際網路服務，本研究先根據文獻建構出一評估可用性之初步架構，認為影響可用性的因素包含了「使用者個人特質」、「通訊基礎建設」、「服務廠商因素」及「行動裝置易用性認知」，接下來透過問卷調查以及統計分析的方式，進一步驗證此架構的正確性，建構出適於描述台灣地區行動網際網路服務可用性之評估架構。 本研究發現，使用者對於行動網際網路服務的觀感皆透過行動裝置而來，亦即「通訊基礎建設」與「服務廠商因素」之效果皆須透過中介變數「行動裝置易用性認知」才能發揮作用，而「行動裝置易用性認知」再影響到可用性，亦即「行動應用服務可用性認知」因素，而此結果代表使用者對於「通訊基礎建設」與「服務廠商因素」兩者的觀感必須透過行動裝置才感受得到，也就是說，如果沒有行動裝置存在，使用者對於後端之人文因素（服務廠商）與技術因素（通訊系統）一無所知，而這樣的結論反映在整個架構的意義，是「行動裝置易用性認知」對於可用性來說具有舉足輕重的地位；本研究進一步發現，可用性本身對於滿意度有著正面的直接效果，代表可用性愈高也會有較高的滿意度，而在同時，「使用者個人特質」代表著不同的使用者特性，如使用經驗、服務相關知識與人口統計變數，而就不同特性而言，對於「行動裝置易用性認知」與「行動應用服務可用性認知」亦有顯著差異。 就「通訊基礎建設」而言，良好的網路訊號與服務後端系統是提升可用性的主要效果來源之一，而「服務廠商因素」則需以產品策略與服務提供品質作為策略主軸；在「行動裝置易用性認知」中，軟硬體操作與使用者支援程度對「行動應用服務可用性認知」有著最大的效果來源，顯見行動裝置是否容易操作，使用者是否能得到適當支援乃為提升可用性的主要直接原因；最後，本研究發現使用者的知識多寡在「行動裝置易用性認知」與「行動應用服務可用性認知」上皆有顯著差異，並顯示知識愈豐富的使用者往往認為行動裝置愈好用、行動網際網路服務的可用性愈高；因此，維護良好網路品質、擬定正確產品策略、改善行動裝置軟硬體操作、適時提供使用者支援與教育使用者皆可大幅提升整體服務的可用性水準。 / This study aims at building a framework to evaluate the usability of Taiwan’s mobile Internet services. An initial conceptual model is first constructed by a thorough literature review. It includes four influencing constructs: User Characteristics, Backend Infrastructure, Service Provider Aspects, and Ease of Use of Mobile Appliances. With the concepts of each construct defined, a survey is then conducted to verify the relationships among the variables. The analysis results show that User Characteristics and Ease of Use are directly related to the perceived usability, whereas Backend Infrastructure and Service Provider Aspects are indirectly related to the perceived usability. This implies that users perceive the usability through the mobile appliances’ ease of use. It is also concluded that fast and stable network connection, effective products strategy, superior service level, user-friendly mobile appliances, sufficient customer support and education for users are the keys to a successful mobile Internet service.

行動上網之概念已提出多年，然受制於硬體規格限制與資訊實用面廣度、深度不足，因此市場未如預期般快速成長。如今受惠於系統業者廣佈GPRS系統，功能性手機普及化，以及內容提供者積極參與，行動數據服務始展露一絲曙光。和信電訊公司看好市場前景，藉與NTT DoCoMo合資關係引進行動上網服務典範─i-mode。本研究之主要目的旨在檢視目前台灣i-mode服務之品質，經結合理論探討與實務分析，具體提出發展行動數據服務之改善要素。 本研究彌補國內相關研究在深度上之不足，採質性研究法，以NTT DoCoMo發展i-mode服務為模式，就技術、內容、策略和使用之關鍵面向，深入訪談系統業者、內容提供者和使用者後，交叉分析以找出三者認知上之落差，進而推論改善行動數據服務品質之關鍵要素，並提出建議解決方案。 本研究結果發現：系統業者之改善要素包括價格、手機選擇、連線品質、行銷、後端管理及利潤分享；內容提供者之改善要素包括價格、實用性、介面、品牌及獲利模式。本研究最大貢獻亦在於提供相關業者諸多建言及產業發展方針，整體而論：第一，系統業者應致力於提升行動上網平台之可用性；第二，內容提供者宜鎖定目標客群主動創造需求；第三，系統業者和內容提供者應從商業合作關係提升為策略聯盟關係。在延伸討論部份，本研究認為：第一，應建立以內容聚集為中心之商務模式架構；第二，推動XHTML做為改善非人性化介面和網路封閉性之解決方案；第三，將行動數據服務從以個人為單位提升到社會關係的層次；第四，開發企業用途之應用，將服務拓展至企業市場。 / The concept of mobile internet has been introduced many years ago; however, due to the limits of hardware standards and the inadequacies of breadth and depth of information practicability, the market didn’t rise and flourish as expectations. Now because of the benefits of distributions of GPRS network system, popularization of feature cellular phones, and active participation of content providers, the mobile data services start to grow. With faith in good prospects of the market, the KGT company introduced i-mode, the paradigm of mobile internet services, from NTT DoCoMo through their partnership. The main purposes of this research are to view the quality of recent i-mode service in Taiwan, and to concretely propose key improving factors of developing mobile data services through integration of theory reviews and practice analyses. For retrieving the lacks of depth in former domestic researches, this research uses the i-mode service as an example and adopts qualitative research methods by deeply interviewing with the operator, the content providers, as well as the users on critical aspects of the technology, the content, the strategy, and the usage. Then, after cross-analyzing to find gaps of the cognition among the three roles, this research infers the key factors to improve the quality of mobile data services and proposes the corresponding solutions. The major findings of this research are as follows. The improving factors of operators includes the price, the phones selectivity, the connection quality, the marketing, and the profits share. Those of content providers includes the price, the practicability, the interface, the brand, and the profit-earning model. This thesis also contributes many suggestions and guidelines of industry development for relevant players. First, operators should strive for enhancing the usability of mobile internet platforms. Second, content providers ought to aim at target customers and actively create demands. Third, the relationship of operators and content providers must be promoted from business cooperation to strategic alliance. In the section of extended discussions, this research presents several recommendations. First, a framework of content aggregation-centered business models should be established. Second, XHTML should be drived as a solution to improve recent unfriendly interfaces and network closure. Third, mobile data services based on individuals should be raised to a high level based on social relationships. Fourth, services should be expanded to cooperate market by developing applications for enterprise purposes.

Internet and mobile communications have had a profound effect on today's society. New services are constantly being deployed, in which personal data are being processed in return for personally tailored services. While mobile networks lay the groundwork for new innovative services, at the same time they pose numerous privacy challenges. There is the risk that honest citizens participating in mobile communications will have their privacy invaded for "the greater good". We argue that it is highly important that individuals are empowered to retain control over their personal spheres. Thus, the goal of this thesis is to design and evaluate anonymous overlay networks} adapted for mobile networks that allow users to control which information leaves their personal spheres in a mobile communication. Technically, by using an anonymous overlay network, users can communicate with their communication partners without disclosing their network identities. In this thesis, we propose three different anonymous overlay networks tailored for mobile networks. First, two approaches are proposed for anonymous browsing on the mobile Internet, namely mCrowds and a Tor-based approach. By applying theoretical analysis and\,/\,or practical experiments, we show that these approaches offer an appropriate trade-off between the offered degree of anonymity and performance loss. Second, an anonymous overlay network for use in mobile ad hoc networks - Chameleon - is suggested. Besides the actual design of these anonymous overlay networks, this thesis provides novel contributions in other essential areas of privacy protection and anonymous communication. First, also non-technical aspects of privacy protection are thoroughly discussed, including legal, social, and user interface aspects. Second, we survey existing metrics for quantifying anonymity and also propose new ideas regarding anonymity metrics. Third, we review and classify existing mechanisms for anonymous communication in mobile ad hoc networks. Lastly, we also propose a cryptographic technique for building up the user base of an anonymous overlay network in a secure and privacy-friendly manner.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary purpose of this study is to explore the social media habits of South African previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs and the way in which the activity of online social networking through social networking sites (SNS) results in the outcome of building social capital for a business venture. At the heart of addressing the research topic is the concept of selfefficacy, which is explored as a key component of human motivation and behaviour. The study explores how self-efficacy beliefs are developed with regard to social media usage and their potential to influence positive outcomes for a business. Based on the research topic, the study which is empirical in nature, has applied a qualitative research design in order to interpret rather than measure self-efficacy behaviours related to social media usage. A purposive non-probability sampling procedure has been adopted to select twelve previously disadvantaged South African entrepreneurs for the study. Semi-structured interviews provide for an interactive and insightful data collection process. As a qualitative study, attention is given to guidelines which establish reliability and validity. Key findings from the study support and refine established Internet selfefficacy research (Eastin & LaRose, 2000) based on Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1986). Based on the established relationships between various constructs and self-efficacy beliefs, the results of the study have been interpreted positively. The findings of the study contribute to the current digital divide debate, and point to a narrowing of the access and participation gap. According to the sample, social media has become embedded in their daily lives for both social and business purposes, and is contributing towards building social capital. This study provides scope to further explore social media as a new opportunity for previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs in South Africa.

Thesis concerns with mobile communications theory with focus on data transfer. In the introduction the history, the origin and individual mobile systems generations are described. It is followed by detailed description of second, third and fourth generation mobile systems. Frequency band allocation, signal processing, the system architecture itself, security management and basic features are also discussed. The GSM system is described together with individual data transmission types based on circuit switching – CSD and HSCSD and packet switching – GPRS and EDGE. For UMTS, FDD and TDD modes are listed as well as changes in individual releases, corresponding technologies and provided services. Next, there is the description of LTE and WiMAX systems, together with their improvements whose are part of the fourth generation of mobile systems. Last of the described systems is the still work in progress HAPS, also known as the system of stratospheric platforms. In the end important parameters are summarized and systems are compared with each other.

(in English): Thesis deals with the phenomenon of m-commerce. History section briefly describes the evolution and significant moments for further development of this segment and its subsequent adaptation. It also discusses the types of transactions that are carried out through mobile devices and also about technologies that allow for a gradual transformation of these devices into multifunctional objects. The fourth chapter deals with the evaluation of practical research, which was carried out by me. The research was focused on the typology of purchases that are realized by Czech users through their mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) in relation to mobile smartphone platform, which they own.

Thesis (M.A. (Communication studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The rates of Internet uses are still devastatingly low especially in developing countries and South Africa is no exception. However, South Africa has had a state policy commitment to attain Internet access for those who have been unconnected in the post Apartheid era (Electronic Communication Act, No 36 of 2005). The problem is that the policy application has been one-sided, only focusing on providing public fixed Internet access through community libraries, Thusong service centres, hospitals and public schools. While this effort is credible, it does little to address the upsurge of mobile Internet access that is increasingly characterising the digital age. The age of digital mobility represents a shift from fixed public Internet access to individualised mobile Internet access through mobile phones. However, the high prices of mobile Internet data make Internet access exclusionary in South Africa, making the needy persons to remain outside of the digital revolution. This study explored issues regarding the high cost of Internet data in South Africa and suggests ways on how universal service and access policy can be formulated to focus on individualised mobile Internet connection. Using a mixed method approach, a convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 200 University of Limpopo students to participate in a survey, and a purposive sampling technique was used for selecting one official from the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and another official from the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) to participate in the standardised semi structured interview. The results indicate that unless the universal service and access policy focuses on addressing the individualised mobile Internet access for needy persons, tapping the benefits that the Internet provides will remain out of reach for many South African youths.

This thesis was aimed to help TeliaSonera to work more consumer related. The purpose was to show the organization how consumer insights could be found and how valuable they are for the company. The assignment consisted of two parts, to develop a process methodology for TeliaSonera which could be used when a segment analysis is to be made in the future, and to study two specific consumer segments. Main focus was to be put on mobile Internet access.The Insights Process was designed based on literature studies, information from TeliaSonera and the consumer study. The process must help TeliaSonera to generate and verify actionable consumer insights, suit the organization and be possible to complete in one week. Via a current situation analysis and by testing methods to find perceptions and ways of conducting consumer studies, different concepts were generated, based on these a final process was established. The general idea was to utilize both in-house knowledge and consumer know-hows. The process consists of twelve steps, optional minitests and one regular follow-up session. The input should be a caught opportunity and output should be actionable insights. Through in-house studies at TeliaSonera perceptions were generated within the area mobile Internet access. These were later tested in a consumer study through a questioning in Telia stores and focus group sessions with the specific segments. The main trait from the group High Status Homeowners was control. Besides that, they requested simpler handling, they are always online, and they have a need of performance and of integrity. The main request from the group Educated Metropolitans was to simplify their everyday lives. Besides that, they have a need of control, they are cost-conscious and aware and they demand Internet access everywhere. This showed that the perceptions generated from the beginning turned out to be rather true.The process turned out to be an agile tool, which will complement the current work at TeliaSonera. Enhanced with toolbox, documentation-aid and consequence guide for each step, the process is easy to follow. There is software programming that has to be done before the process can be launched / Syftet med examensarbetet var att hjälpa TeliaSonera att arbeta mer konsumentorienterat samt att visa organisationen hur man kan hitta konsumentinskikter och hur värdefulla dessa är för företaget. Uppdraget bestod av två delar, dels att utveckla en process för TeliaSonera att använda när en analys av ett kundsegment ska göras, dels att utföra en konsumentundersökning av specifika segment. Studieområdet för konsumentundersökningen var mobil internetaccess.Konsumentinsiktsprocessen baserades på litteraturstudier, information från TeliaSonera samt konsumentundersökningen som genomfördes. De krav som ställdes på processen var bland annat att den skulle hjälpa TeliaSonera att generera och verifiera användbara konsumentinsikter, vara anpassad med övrigt arbete inom organisationen samt vara möjlig att genomföra på en vecka. Processkoncept togs fram med hjälp av information från nulägesanalyser och metodtester för att identifiera spaningar och genomföra konsumentundersökningar. Processkoncepten utvärderades senare och en slutgiltig konsumentinsiktsprocess utvecklades. Grundidén med processen var att använda sig av både intern kunskap inom organisationen och konsumenternas egna kommentarer och attityder. Processen består av tolv steg, möjliga minitest och en regelbunden uppföljnings-session. Insteget i processen är en uppfångad möjlighet eller idé och utkomsten från processen är användbara konsumentinsikter. Genom interna undersökningar hos TeliaSonera hittades spaningar gällande mobil internetaccess. Dessa testades senare i konsumentundersökningar som frågeformulär i två Teliabutiker samt fyra fokusgruppsessioner med de specifika kundsegmenten. Resultatet från undersökningarna visade att det främsta behovet för segmentet High Status Homeowners var att ha kontroll. Utöver det krävde de även en enkel hantering, ständig uppkoppling, integritet och prestanda. Det främsta behovet för segmentet Educated Metropolitans var att ha ett enkelt vardagsliv. Utöver det har de också ett kontrollbehov, är kostnadsmedvetna, omvärldsmedvetna och kräver att alltid kunna vara uppkopplade mot internet överallt. Detta visar att spaningarna som identifierades internt i början av arbetet stämde överens med verkligheten. Processen utvecklades till ett agilt verktyg som kompletterar TeliaSoneras nuvarande arbete. Tack vare verktygslådor, dokumentationsformulär and konsekvensguider till varje steg är processen lätt att följa och genomföra. Innan processen kan lanseras återstår en del programmeringsarbete.

Mobile computing is becoming increasingly important, due to the rise in the number of portable computers and the desire to have continuous network connectivity to the Internet, irrespective of the physical location of the node. We have also seen a steady growth of the market for wireless communication devices. Such devices can only have the effect of increasing the options for making connections to the global Internet. The Internet infrastructure is built on top of a collection of protocols called the TCP/IP protocol suite. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP) are the core protocols in this suite. There are currently two standards: one to support the current IPv4 and one for the upcoming IPv6 [1]. IP requires the location of any node connected to the Internet to be uniquely identified by an assigned IP address. This raises one of the most important issues in mobility because, when a node moves to another physical location, it has to change its IP address. However, the higher-level protocols require the IP address of a node to be fixed for identifying connections. The Mobile Internet Protocol (Mobile IP) is an extension to the Internet Protocol proposed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) that addresses this issue. It enables mobile devices to stay connected to the Internet regardless of their locations, without changing their IP addresses and, therefore, an ongoing IP session will not be interrupted [2, 3, 4]. More precisely, Mobile IP is a standard protocol that builds on the Internet Protocol by making mobility transparent to applications and higher-level protocols like TCP. However, before Mobile IP can be broadly deployed, there are still several technical barriers, such as long handover periods and packet loss that have to be overcome, in addition to other technical obstacles, including handover performance, security issues and routing efficiency [7]. This study presents an investigation into developing new handover mechanisms based on link layer information in Mobile IP and fast handover in Mobile IPv6 environments. The main goal of the developed mechanisms is to improve the overall IP mobility performance by reducing packet loss, minimizing signalling overheads and reducing the handover processing time. These models include the development of a cross-layer handover scheme using link layer information and Mobile Node (MN) location information to improve the performance of the communication system by reducing transmission delay, packet loss and registration signalling overheads. Finally, the new schemes are developed, tested and validated through a set of experiments to demonstrate the relative merits and capabilities of these schemes.