Mobile developers to see increased opportunities thanks to growth of mobile data market
Growth in the mobile data market thanks to a rapid uptake of 4G is set to boost mobile operator bank balances, which will in turn create a healthy opportunity for mobile content and application developer communities, says a new study.
Global mobile data service revenue, made up of mobile internet and messaging revenue, will rise by 21.4% between 2012 and 2014 to represent 40.4% of the $1 trillion mobile customers will be spending on their mobile phone services, stated ABI Research.
Thanks to strong commitments to LTE network deployment in Latin America and Africa, not just the developed markets, growth rates in the regions will be substantially faster as the increase in usage outstrips mobile data pricing decline.
Ovum commented that this represents a significant opportunity for regional mobile content and application developers, as the mobile data growth will stimulate a very nascent mobile apps and content marketplace.
North America will be the first region to see mobile data service revenue eclipse voice revenue in 2016. According to Ying Kang Tan, research associate at ABI: 'By offering unlimited voice calls and texts, while making data the only component in a bundled plan with positive marginal costs to consumers, wireless operators as AT&T and Verizon help to prop up voice and messaging, making positive revenue contributions in the short to medium term. Rich Communication Services (RCS) and voice and messaging APIs are a key part of their strategy of making carrier-based calls and messaging relevant to their customers.'
Added Jake Saunders, VP and practice director for core forecasting at ABI: 'While global messaging service revenue is in gradual decline, mobile internet service revenue is very much the main driver of revenue growth (2012: US$ 244.2 billion, 21% year on year). As smartphones have become the entertainment hub in our lives, music, video and TV streaming's contribution of mobile internet service revenue has jumped to 26% in 2012.'
