patterns. For example, mobile text messaging was for those traveling often, in contrast with the yearn suitable when short messages were ing or freedon expressed by those frequently wan sent/exchanged. Current constraints with respect to dering. Further, different characteristics of the device, especially the nature of the keyboard, technologies were associated with different types made it virtually infeasible to participate in a high- and extent of mobility. For example, the optimal size volume text exchan of a device associated with wandering was necessar- Communication objectives may be classified as ily lower than an acceptable device size when visit conveyance, convergence, and passive reception. ing or traveling, and one needed a larger reach of the Different media(voice, text messaging, and email) technological network when traveling than when were viewed as suitable for different objectives, given wandering a social context. For example, mobile text messaging Context. Undoubtedly, the surrounding socio- seemed suitable for conveying a piece of informa- economic context plays an important moderating THE AVAILABILITY of' dufficient number of mobile Web dervices increaded the use of data features and consequently the chance of adoption tion, rather than when individuals needed conver- role on the effect of the factors discussed previousl gence on a shared understanding of equivocal Economic factors and technological infrastructure: situations. Of course, creating a high level of syn- For individuals on a limited budget(such as college hronicity in communication through back-and- students), use patterns were highly influenced by forth messaging co ould enable two individuals to economic considerations. Even though the advan- reach some convergence [1] tages of being mobile were apparent and desirable, Modalities of Mobility. Perhaps the most touted for many, the convenience was not worth the addi advantage of wireless technology is its ability to tional expense. Further, the pricing plans of various enable mobile communication, mobile collabora- service providers were found to encourage and dis- tion, and mobile commerce. While descriptions of courage different types of behavior. For example, the innovative applications of mobile technology and relative popularity of text messaging in Norway visions of future scenarios abound in the literature, compared to Thailand was attributed to the relative the meaning of mobility, the types of mobility, and costs associated with this form of communication in the implications of different types of mobility on the two countries. The level of proliferation of wireless device use remain unclear. Traveling, wan- mobile devices was also related to the existing qual dering, and visiting were seen as three ways to qual- ity and availability of traditional telecommunica- ify the essence of mobility [4]. Traveling is defined tions infrastructure, and to the accessibility of public as the process of going from one place to another in telecommunications facilities a vehicle"[4]. For example, a five-hour drive from Social factors: The expectation of continuous one city to another could belong to this category of availability and responsiveness associated with mobility. Wandering, on the other hand, refers to a mobile device use appears to have a natural fit with form of extensive local mobility" where an individ- cultures such as the U.S. that are fast-paced and ual may spend considerable time walking around on information for decision making in every asp 4. Finally, visiting refers to stopping by at some of life. Another interesting motivation for mol location and spending time there, before moving on device use, in the case of a major city in Thailand, to another location was the fact that people are often stuck in their car Different types and extent of mobility are associ- due to frequent traffic jams, and social practice ated with different motivations underlying use pat- engaging in"more or less meaningless conversation terns. For example, safety was an important concern as a leisure activity. Another related issue is that of 38 December 2003/Vol 46. No 12 COMMUNICATIONS OF THE ACMpatterns. For example, mobile text messaging was seen as suitable when short messages were sent/exchanged. Current constraints with respect to the device, especially the nature of the keyboard, made it virtually infeasible to participate in a high￾volume text exchange. Communication objectives may be classified as conveyance, convergence, and passive reception. Different media (voice, text messaging, and email) were viewed as suitable for different objectives, given a social context. For example, mobile text messaging seemed suitable for conveying a piece of informa￾tion, rather than when individuals needed conver￾gence on a shared understanding of equivocal situations. Of course, creating a high level of syn￾chronicity in communication through back-and￾forth messaging could enable two individuals to reach some convergence [1]. Modalities of Mobility. Perhaps the most touted advantage of wireless technology is its ability to enable mobile communication, mobile collabora￾tion, and mobile commerce. While descriptions of innovative applications of mobile technology and visions of future scenarios abound in the literature, the meaning of mobility, the types of mobility, and the implications of different types of mobility on wireless device use remain unclear. Traveling, wan￾dering, and visiting were seen as three ways to qual￾ify the essence of mobility [4]. Traveling is defined as “the process of going from one place to another in a vehicle” [4]. For example, a five-hour drive from one city to another could belong to this category of mobility. Wandering, on the other hand, refers to a form of “extensive local mobility” where an individ￾ual may spend considerable time walking around [4]. Finally, visiting refers to stopping by at some location and spending time there, before moving on to another location. Different types and extent of mobility are associ￾ated with different motivations underlying use pat￾terns. For example, safety was an important concern for those traveling often, in contrast with the yearn￾ing for freedom expressed by those frequently wan￾dering. Further, different characteristics of technologies were associated with different types and extent of mobility. For example, the optimal size of a device associated with wandering was necessar￾ily lower than an acceptable device size when visit￾ing or traveling, and one needed a larger reach of the technological network when traveling than when wandering. Context. Undoubtedly, the surrounding socio￾economic context plays an important moderating role on the effect of the factors discussed previously. Economic factors and technological infrastructure: For individuals on a limited budget (such as college students), use patterns were highly influenced by economic considerations. Even though the advan￾tages of being mobile were apparent and desirable, for many, the convenience was not worth the addi￾tional expense. Further, the pricing plans of various service providers were found to encourage and dis￾courage different types of behavior. For example, the relative popularity of text messaging in Norway compared to Thailand was attributed to the relative costs associated with this form of communication in the two countries. The level of proliferation of mobile devices was also related to the existing qual￾ity and availability of traditional telecommunica￾tions infrastructure, and to the accessibility of public telecommunications facilities. Social factors: The expectation of continuous availability and responsiveness associated with mobile device use appears to have a natural fit with cultures such as the U.S. that are fast-paced and rely on information for decision making in every aspect of life. Another interesting motivation for mobile device use, in the case of a major city in Thailand, was the fact that people are often stuck in their car due to frequent traffic jams, and social practice of engaging in “more or less meaningless conversation” as a leisure activity. Another related issue is that of 38 December 2003/Vol. 46, No. 12 COMMUNICATIONS OF THE ACM THE AVAILABILITY of a sufficient number of mobile Web services increased the use of data features and consequently, the chance of adoption