5G ecosystem dilemmas: sharing roles and revenues

This paper introduces the platform ecosystem approach and applies it in a 5G setting. It seeks to answer successful strategies to decision dilemma of collective action in a context with high dependency between actors. We develop a model for a duopoly case where two 5G platform ecosystem exist and suggest six scenarios which combine compatibility between 5G platforms and Mobile Network Operators' (MNOs') willingness to share market in the total ecosystem with other digital service providers. We show that under certain market conditions, MNOs will be more profitable by allowing 5G platform compatibility and that there are several realistic cases where showing moderation in capturing market shares is their best strategy.