Report Analyses Messaging Prospects

Portio Research has released its report Mobile Messaging Futures 2007-2012. This all-new, detailed study of worldwide messaging markets follows on from Portios Mobile Messaging Futures 2005-2010 report published in mid-2005.
The report offers a complete study of worldwide mobile messaging markets, forecasting SMS and MMS traffic volumes and revenues for the period 2007-2012, and forecasting mobile email and IM user growth for the same period. It provides a detailed analysis and a regional market summary of the mobile markets of Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Africa and Middle East, specifying messaging revenues and volumes in each market and identifying key countries in each region. The report studies cover mobile messaging, including SMS, MMS, mobile email and mobile Instant Messaging (IM).
The report includes detailed regional SMS growth forecasts to 2012; detailed MMS traffic and revenue forecasts, by region, to 2012; and a complete breakdown and analysis of this worldwide $80 billion industry. Portio says it will enable readers to understand the present dominant position of SMS as the worlds leading messaging technology; understand the state of messaging markets now, and of key country markets, leading operators and major vendors; study MMS growth and likely future prospects; and analyze where SMS is making substantial money for the mobile industry now. 
Portio forecasts that with the worldwide population expected to rise from approximately 6.55 billion to approximately 7 billion between 2006 and 2012, the worldwide mobile subscriber base will increase from 2.65 billion to 4.81 billion. Asian markets, which are growing at a staggering pace, are expected to account for 50% of the total worldwide subscriber base by 2008. Also, the rise in mobile penetration in Latin America and Africa will contribute significantly towards the overall growth of the mobile market. Although revenues from voice calls still comprise 80% of worldwide total mobile revenues, operators globally are focussing on data services to increase their average revenue per user (ARPU). Of the various data services available, Portio points out that  SMS accounts for approximately 75 80% of non-voice service revenues worldwide.
After a slow start, the report says, MMS has also started experiencing significant growth in several regions, especially in North America. Since interoperability agreements were finally put into place in 2005, the North American market has enjoyed rapid growth in MMS traffic. While North America and Europe now enjoy growing MMS traffic and revenues, MMS is still quite weak in much of Asia and other regions, namely Latin America and most of Africa and the Middle East. 
Apart from SMS and MMS, mobile e-mail and mobile IM are showing strong future growth prospects in some geographic regions. Apart from North America and Europe, mobile e-mail is expected to grow significantly in the mobile markets of the Asia Pacific region. The success of mobile e-mail is largely driven by the growth of more advanced handheld devices, such as PDAs and smartphones, so obviously growth of these services will be broadly restricted to the wealthier, more advanced markets for the immediate future.
The report costs 1,495 (+ VAT in the UK) for a 1 – 5 user PDF team licence; 1,995 for a small or medium size PDF company licence; or 2,995 for a large corporate PDF unlimited licence.
Theres more information, including a brochure and detailed Table Of Contents here.