Mobile IM will become a mass-market application

As the popularity of mobile messaging services continue to grow, IT research company Gartner is forecasting that Mobile IM will become a mass-market application similar to mobile e-mail in developed markets, initially being adopted by PC-based IM users, who are now able to access their service on their mobile phones, due to partnerships between the operators and the IM providers.

The report, “Market Trends: Mobile Messaging, Worldwide, 2006-201”, estimate that 2.3 trillion messages will be sent across major markets worldwide in 2008, a 19.6% increase from the 2007 total of 1.9 trillion messages. Mobile messaging revenue across major markets will grow 15.7% in 2008 to $60.2 billion, up from $52 billion in 2007.

Mobile messaging usage has increased in all Western European countries, and the growth in the number of messages sent is projected to continue until 2010. A total of 202 billion mobile messages were sent in 2007 in Western Europe, and this is forecast to reach 215 billion in 2008. In North America there were 189 billion mobile messages sent in 2007, and this is forecast to reach 301 billion in 2008.

“Carriers should plan for a future of much reduced margins on messaging services. They should develop messaging platforms, services portfolios and pricing plans that support the broader objectives of customer acquisition and retention, rather than short-term margin enhancements," said Nick Ingelbrecht, research director for Gartner.