SMS and MMS head-to-head by 2010

Other mobile messaging technologies, including Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) have a strong future in certain markets, particularly the US where MIM volumes are expected to pass SMS by 2009 or 2010.

The report 'Mobile Messaging Futures 2005 - 2010' predicts that the future for SMS is bright, remaining the most widely used messaging format for some years to come with revenues estimated at US$50 billion by 2010, driven by almost 2.38 trillion messages.

It outlines progress, albeit slower, for other mobile messaging technologies especially mobile e-mail and instant messaging amid continued strong worldwide subscriber growth.

Despite the hype, since its launch in 2002, MMS has failed to assume the SMS mantle, hampered by interoperability issues and low handset penetration. MMS can however be considered a commercial success with similar revenue predictions as SMS by 2010 from considerably less traffic.

The report suggests that when MMS becomes cheap, simple and compelling, traffic will grow and revenue will follow.

Other messaging technologies including mobile e-mail, and mobile instant messaging, the report suggests, will continue to gain ground. However with a large proportion of global mobile subscriber growth in the next five or six years being in low-income per-capita emerging markets, and fixed-mobile substitution back on the corporate agenda in the mature mobile markets, there seems to be plenty of life still in voice, and in SMS.

"No other non-verbal form of communication in the world is used by so many individuals and is experiencing such a rapid expansion of its user base," the report claims.

In addition to providing a comprehensive analysis of global SMS and MMS markets 'Mobile Messaging Futures 2005 - 2010' also provides detailed discussion of business models, network technology impacts, value chain shifts and advice for operators backed by a wealth of charts and statistics.

For further information or to purchase a copy of this report, e-mail or call John White on +44 (0)7909 957360.