Digital Lifescapes

In the first quarter of 2014, the overall worldwide mobile service provider revenue increased by just 0.58 percent year-on-year (YoY) to $264 billion, according to the latest global market study by ABI Research. The aggregate service revenue for 2014 will grow 2.9 percent YoY to $1.01 trillion, mainly driven by the robust growth of the mobile Internet market. Proliferating mobile data subscriptions and enhanced network capacity will drive global mobile Internet service revenue to $456.7 billion by 2019 -- that's 44.7 percent of total mobile service revenue. That being said, despite global service revenue growth, the Western European market is shrinking do to aggressive competition and lower proces -- 1Q 2014 service revenue declined by 5.2 percent YoY. "Facing continued price pressure driven by the competitive mobile market, mobile carriers have had to take on higher subscriber retention and acquisition costs to support their market positions. This has affected profita...

Following the current worldwide trend, many of the people who have yet to experience the Internet will likely gain access via a mobile device -- such as a smartphone. ​During 2013, global mobile Internet service revenue is estimated to have grown 23.4 percent to roughly $300 billion, according to the latest market study by ABI Research. Wireless broadband subscriptions have increased by 28.8 percent, and the smartphone share of total subscriptions advanced by 6.6 percent to capture 27.5 percent of the overall market share pie. Despite the strong gains in mobile Internet adoption, global wireless service revenue is expected to have grown by just 3.2 percent -- to slightly over $1 trillion. In 2014, according to ABI's assessment, mobile Internet related revenue momentum will continue upward, with growth in the 13 to 15 percent range. LTE is providing some mobile network service provider upsell opportunities with multi-device plans and increased data quota plans, but by and la...

According to the latest market study by Ovum, emerging market mobile network service providers will continue to experience strong connections growth in 2012. Mobile broadband will be the main driver of this growth, but it will also act as a strategic disruptor. The independent telecoms analyst firm states that emerging market operators will continue to see double digit mobile connections growth in 2012. Large markets with relatively low mobile penetration -- such as China, India and Indonesia -- will be the key drivers of this growth. Angel Dobardziev, Ovum Telecoms Emerging Markets practice leader said, "Many emerging market operators went through a transitional period in 2011. Operators had to continue adjusting to slower mobile connections growth, tougher competition, more regulation and lower prices and margins." While many emerging markets are still expected to experience double-digit connections growth in 2012, few will report double-digit revenue growth. Reven...