Australia - Mobile Data - Forecasts, Market Issues - 2009

Synopsis

Growth in the mobile data market in Australia is likely to slow in 2009 as a result of the impact of difficult broader economic conditions. However further declines in the price of mobile data are likely to stimulate growth in 2010. Growth in usage may come at the expense of revenue growth as margins are lowered due to competitive pressures. Mobile data usage in Australia is increasing driven by handset developments, most notably the introduction of web-centric mobile handsets such as the Apple iPhone. Mobile application stores which provide a market place for developers to independently market their mobile web services are likely to gain in popularity through to 2010. However in the short term growth in the mobile data market may be lowered by persistently high charges that some operators levy for transmitting application data. Operators are reluctant to lower prices as that could lead a surge in usage and to network congestion requiring additional investment.