With the promise of greater bandwidth on 3G networks, rapid advances in compression technologies, and new multimedia handset capabilities, the stars are beginning to align for mobile video services in the United States. In-Stat/MDR reports that, with a number of limited deployments already underway in the United States, market launches in this space will accelerate in late 2004 and throughout 2005. By 2009, mobile video services are expected to generate US$5.4 billion in annual revenues.
A recent, end user survey performed by In-Stat/MDR found that 13.2% of U.S. wireless subscribers are extremely or very interested in purchasing video services for their wireless phones. "While still a relatively small niche of the market, this figure is significant in that it represents the 'natural demand' for mobile video services, prior to any large-scale carrier deployments or market messaging," said Clint Wheelock, director of In-Stat/MDR's Wireless Research Group. "Moreover, interest in mobile video is higher than for all other prospective mobile multimedia services covered in this survey, including gaming and music services."
In-Stat/MDR also reports that by 2009, 22.3 million Americans will be viewers of mobile video content, and 31.1 million will use video messaging services. Sprint PCS subscribers, who typically exhibit more early adopter characteristics than customers of other wireless carriers, were the most likely, among those surveyed, to be interested in mobile video services.
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Posted to the site on 25th May 2004
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/11186.php