| Home |
| About Us |
| Latest News |
| Features |
| R-100 Index |
| Newsdesk |
| Free Email Alerts |
| - - - - - - - |
| Wireless Business Review |
| - - - - - - - |
| Groovin’ ‘n’ a-movin’ |
|
|
| Friday, 29 February 2008 | |
|
Research companies run rule over mobile social networkin’…
Two new analyses predict bumper things for mobile access to social networking sites such as MySpace, Flickr and YouTube. According to Pyramid Research, today's active social networking members represent more than one third of the total worldwide Internet user base, for a figure of 530mn members worldwide. Looking ahead in its study ‘Social Networking Goes Mobile’, the company expects social networking sites (SNSs) to gain prominence as sites add increased functionality and more people are introduced to them by friends and acquaintances. It also predicts that as social networking develops as an industry, mobility will play a vital role in shaping the future. Pyramid believes there are strong forces bringing SNS and mobility together, including the industry-wide trend toward presence and personalisation. For social networking sites, the ability of members to access the sites from anywhere will enhance the utility of the sites and thus the advertising revenue that the sites can generate. Accordingly, Pyramid has it that by the end of 2012, there could be 950mn users accessing social networking sites via their mobile devices. Infoma Telecoms & Media agrees about the potential for mobile social networking. In the analysis it recently published – ‘Mobile Social Networking: Communities and Content on the Move’ – it is reckoned that mobile social networking is already an established service in some regions, but in 2008 and beyond new features are attracting larger numbers of users and permitting new business opportunities; in short, mobile social networking is now a global phenomenon with expansion in all directions. The Informa report, researched by PEREY Research & Consulting, calculates that the number of mobile social networking users exceeded 50mn, or approximately 2.3% of the global mobile user population, on 31 December, 2007. Some of these users were registered in multiple mobile communities, communicating with friends, amusing themselves and sharing interests with others. With only low investments from mobile network operators, reasons PEREY, the growth in users and community registrations will continue at a CAGR of 30% to 50%, depending on the type of community and the region. By 2012, there will be between 12.5% penetration of mobile social networks among mobile users globally in the most conservative scenario, and approximately 23% in the high growth scenario. “Mobile social networking is approaching or has reached critical mass among mobile subscribers in What does this translate to in terms of moolah? PEREY estimates that in 2006 mobile social networking revenues exceeded US$1.5bn, and that figure more than doubled in 2007. It says revenue growth will accelerate in the next two years but, after that point, much depends on mobile network operators' policies and the interests of users. By 2012 revenues generated from all business models in this industry is forecast to reach US$28.9bn in the most conservative scenario and US$52bn in the high growth scenario. And here’s an endorsement of the Informa/PEREY production. “This report is absolutely brilliant. The industry has needed something like this for years. Now we can use the frameworks and analyses to cut through the chase and have better business discussions,” offers Tim O'Conner, ceo of FunkSexyCool Inc. We say: well groovy. John Williamson |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|