FRAMINGHAM, Mass.-Graphical content has emerged as the fastest-growing mass market for wireless data, according to a study from consultancy IDC.
Although it generates less revenue than ringtones and games, the market for commercial graphical content is poised to grow from just less than $150 million this year to more than $1.1 billion by 2008, IDC said. Such content generally includes wallpaper, screensavers and caller ID graphics.
“Graphical content such as wallpaper is phenomenally popular, especially among youths and young adults,” said Lewis Ward, senior research analyst in IDC’s wireless and mobile communications program. “Our survey data found that members of this demographic group are five times more likely to pay for and download graphics than are their adult counterparts.”
Ward warned, however, that several factors may constrain growth in the area, including low penetration levels of advanced handsets, a lack of digital rights management standards and relatively low user awareness of such content.
