3G to drive mobile entertainment

The mobile entertainment market could reach $47.5 billion by 2010, driven by greater 3G adoption and an increase in made-for-mobile content, according to a new report from Juniper Research.
The firm, however, warns that mobile entertainment growth could be slowed unless improvements are made to user interfaces, network coverage and data services costs. Juniper also noted that legal resistance to services like gambling and adult content could also slow or prevent deployment of entertainment services.
“Traditionally, services such as ringtones and wallpapers accounted for the bulk of mobile entertainment services,” said Windsor Holden, author of the report. “However, usage patterns are changing rapidly with the increasing availability of more sophisticated and attractive content such as streamed and broadcast video, social networking services and multiplayer games, which have been designed specifically for the mobile environment.”
The report finds China and the Far East region currently represent the largest mobile entertainment market, with about 41% of the global entertainment revenue market share. In 2012, the region is expected to account for about one-third of global mobile entertainment revenues.