Ringback tones are on track to
become the most attractive mobile content category by 2012, according to new
market research from MultiMedia Intelligence. With worldwide revenue nearly
tripling to $4.7 Billion, ringback tones will fall just short of mobile gaming
revenue in capturing the largest share of the mobile premium content market
(not including mobile video and mobile TV).
Overall, the global retail
market for mobile premium is projected to reach $29 billion by 2012, according
to MultiMedia Intelligence. Developed markets, such as
and
seen dramatic growth in premium content, with some operators seeing data
revenue exceed 30% of total service revenue. As key Asian markets continue to
evolve, growth has shifted to
MultiMedia Intelligence also
learned
- Realtone
ringtones are gently displacing polyphonic ringtones in all regional
markets. Polyphonic ringtones are becoming antiquated as the cell phone
evolves in to a fully realized multimedia device. - Retail
mobile music is nearly a mature market in
Korea
By 2012, the mobile music market in
for example, will be over 7 times the size of the mobile music market in
Korea - Streaming
mobile music is growing; however, it does not yet have the market scale
compared to other mobile music categories. Mobile games and adult content
are continuing to grow, but at gradually slowing rates.
"Ringback tones are
quickly becoming the 'Golden Child' of the mobile music market, due to a
winning combination of consumer popularity, and minimal impact from DRM or
piracy," according to
Chief Research Officer with MultiMedia Intelligence. "The current leading
mobile premium content category of realtones is already facing challenges
Consumers increasingly are able to create their own ringtones. The price
disparity compared to a full track download is also a growing factor. "
The research report, "Dough-Ra-Mi: A Look at Mobile Music,
Ringtones, Ringbacks, Games, Graphics & Adult Content,"
examines and forecasts key market verticals in the mobile handset market.