Although the mobile communications market in North America is close to
saturation, wireless data usage is likely to go up. Mobile service
providers are expected to push for wireless networks as the primary
means of communications, says Research in Markets.
In 2007, this market was characterized by
high-speed networks, the emergence of the prepaid segment, third
generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G), slowing subscriber growth
rates, mobile advertising and search, mobile social networking, mobile
banking and payments, location-based services, and mobile broadcasting.
These trends are expected to continue in 2008 and beyond. The industry
is now deploying technologies such as Worldwide Interoperability for
Microwave Access (WiMAX), High-Speed Downlink Packet Access/High-Speed
Uplink Packet Access (HSDPA/HSUPA), and Cdma2000 1xEVDO Rev.A.
Even as service providers are using revenue-maximizing strategies such
as providing mobile advertising and wireless data services, voice is
likely to be the primary source of revenue. This is expected to lead to
price competition in this market. 3G services are expected to increase
and impact data revenues with more consumers owning 3G-capable devices. "Mobile
data revenues are expected to increase in 2008,"
states the analyst of this research. "While
messaging will continue being the primary contributor to the mobile data
revenue pie, 3G services and premium mobile content will also be strong
segments."
Growth of Off-portal Mobile Content and Services Set to Ring in Revenues
"The off-portal segment is expected to become
an important contributor to the North American mobile communications
markets," notes the analyst. "While
considerable uptake of off-portal mobile content services is already
witnessed in the United States, the Canadian markets are still dominated
by on-deck services." Service providers have
undertaken various initiatives to improve uptake of off-portal content
and services. Mobile social networking sites, both off-portal and
on-deck, have increased and are being used more frequently. Meanwhile,
mobile advertising has opened up newer possibilities for off-portal
providers as well.
In the United States, mobile operators see off-portal as an attractive
revenue opportunity and are implementing next-generation content billing
and content management platforms for off-portal content. Initiatives are
on for an 'open network'
for the off-portal content space. Such open platforms will benefit
consumers without burdening service providers. This shift to open
platforms will lead to increased use of such services.
Every year, Frost & Sullivan publishes a study that examines the major
trends in the North American mobile communications markets. The research
deliverable presents major highlights of the year gone by, and lists the
expected trends for the next 12 months. The consumer outlook is focused
on mobile consumer applications, and is accompanied by a companion study
on the North American enterprise mobile communications markets.
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/da57c9/2008_north_america