Forecast: Mobile content revenues to $64B by 2012

Mobile entertainment revenues will rise from just over $20 billion worldwide in 2007 to more than $64 billion by 2012, according to a new forecast issued by market analysis firm Juniper Research. While Juniper cites music ($9 billion in 2007 to $17.5 billion in 2012), games ($5 billion to $16 billion) and mobile TV ($4.1 billion to $11.9 billion) as the primary catalysts behind the market growth, the report says user-generated content, gambling, adult entertainment and infotainment will drive adoption as well.

According to Juniper, China and the Far East will remain the largest regional market for mobile entertainment, with revenues growing from $8.5 billion in 2007 to $21.3 billion by 2012. The report notes that consumer adoption remains limited by user interface challenges, network speed and coverage, and data service fees. In addition, while legislation will hamper opportunities in the adult and gambling sectors, Juniper predicts the U.S. will ease restrictions in the years ahead.

"With revenues from voice services declining and messaging revenues flatlining, last year finally saw a number of more sophisticated entertainment services begin to fulfill their potential and redress the balance," said Juniper principal analyst Dr. Windsor Holden in a prepared statement. "With more widespread penetration of 3G handsets--or entertainment-focused 2.5G handsets like the iPhone--there is likely to be a much greater surge in both the adoption and overall usage in rich media services."

For more on the Juniper forecast:
- read this release

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