Data typically forms 6-10 percent of US mobile operators� total revenues. Total messaging traffic is up 59 percent over the last 12 months -- The value of the US mobile data market increased by around 80 percent during the year to March 2005, according to Informa Telecoms & Media�s World Cellular Data Metrics, as interoperability agreements finally helped SMS make a significant impact on the market, which has traditionally lagged behind Europe and Asia. Total revenues from non-voice services for the four largest US mobile operators totaled more than $1.2 billion in Q1 2005, compared to $689 million in the same period of 2004. GSM operator T-Mobile was particularly noteworthy; its subscribers sent a total of 3.6 billion messages during Q1 2005, equivalent to around 67 per subscription per month, more than double the volume 12 Months ago. The operator�s recent launch of bundled SMS packages, including one offering unlimited messages for $15 per month, is sure to drive traffic still higher. As well as interoperability, continued subscriber education and growth in popularity of interactive TV programmes have boosted SMS traffic levels in the USA.
The Open Banking business model has been advantageous for Third-Party Providers (TPPs), helping them to extend their offerings into other areas of financial services with new capabilities. Open Banking is also advantageous for traditional banking institutions, despite the perceived loss of custodianship over their data, by providing greater accessibility to more bank services. Furthermore, Open Banking can help serve Mobile Internet providers that are able to leverage it to create tailored services according to customers’ preferences and/or economic limitations. Open Banking Market Development Since traditional banking services are made more convenient by TPPs via greater data access, customers can proactively manage their finances and shape the development of new financial offerings. This is particularly noticeable in the realm of Digital Payments, where retail merchants and customers transact through eCommerce, which has the greatest number of use cases for Open Banking. These includ