Social networking targeting wireless

Social networking sites MySpace and Facebook are using valuable deck space to extend their offerings to mobile users, according to new figures from M:Metrics.
MySpace, which has deals with AT&T Mobility, Helio L.L.C. and Sprint Nextel Corp., attracted about 3.7 million U.S. wireless users in June, according to the market research firm. Facebook, which is available through AT&T Mobility and Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C., lured 2 million American subscribers.
YouTube, which has been less accessible to mobile users thanks to exclusive deals with Verizon Wireless, drew 900,000 U.S. mobile users.
The well-known Internet giants are hoping to use their high profiles to establish a lead against pure-play startups in the early days of mobile community-building. Social networking is expected to drive user-generated content in mobile, according to a new report from Juniper Research, with revenues increasing tenfold during the next five years to nearly $6 billion.
“For an increasingly wide audience, social networking sites have become an indispensable part of the digital lifestyle,” said M:Metrics analyst Mark Donovan. “Nearly every online social networking site has added the ability to connect to these communities with a mobile phone, allowing people to access profiles and share content while they’re on the go.”