Informa: Mobile social networking revenues could reach US$52 billion by 2012

It’s kinda obvious mobile social networks are set for growth and will/want to follow the path of their “desktop predecessors.” According to Informa’s latest report entitled “Mobile Social Networking: Communities and Content on the Move,” the number of mobile social networking users exceeded 50 million, approximately 2.3% of the global mobile user population on December 31st, 2007. Some of these users were registered in multiple mobile communities, though.

The research company argues that with only low investments from mobile network operators, the growth in users and community registrations will continue at a CAGR of 30-50%, 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, approximately 23% in the high growth scenario.

In 2006, mobile social networks made more than US$1.5 billion and that amount more than doubled in 2007. The 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$28.9 billion in the most conservative scenario and $52 billion in the high growth scenario.

Entertainment community segment revenues will overtake in some regions in 2010, but other community segments — like those focused on productivity, fame and social shopping — are beginning to emerge on mobile platforms, diversifying the offers and attracting different kind of users… More information is available from Informa’s website.