According to a new report by Juniper Research titled “Mobile Web 2.0: Leveraging ‘Location, IM, Social Web & Search’ 2008-2013,” the global market for Mobile Web 2.0 (social networking and user generated content) will be worth $22.4bn in 2013, up from $5.5bn currently.
Juniper suggests that at the core of Mobile Web 2.0 evolution is the user as a creator and consumer of content (the so called “prosumer”), and the “social web,” which is described a wide variety of social computing tools that enable users to develop detailed Web identities, create online communities and communicate with like-minded individuals.
Ian Chard, Juniper Research Analyst, argues that because a mobile phone is carried with us most of the time and contains a huge amount of personal data, it is a logical extension for the social networks and a host of other collaborative Web 2.0 applications. “Combining the power of the social network map – namely: ‘who I know, how I know and where I know’ – with that of mobility, presents the greatest opportunity for revenue generation of any of the applications as defined within Juniper’s Mobile Web 2.0 framework,” he added.
Other findings from the report:
- Total global revenues for mobile social networking/user generated content services will rocket from $1.8 billion in 2008, to $11.2 billion in 2013, accounting for 50% of the market.
- Service revenues will account for the lion’s share of total Mobile Web 2.0 revenues, although mobile advertising represents a significant opportunity.
- Far East & China, Western Europe and North America dominate the global market for Mobile Web 2.0, but will be surpassed by the developing regions over the forecast period.
As always, there are challenges associated with mobilising Internet applications. Mobile operators must adjust to ad-supported business models and accommodate partnerships with web-based players, while handset makers and technology vendors must somehow find the means to stitch together what is at present, a highly-fragmented market. In addition, any player in the social web is also subject to regulatory measures concerning privacy and data retention…