Strategy Analytics Predicts Ongoing Wireless Instant Messaging Growth

Telecom News Editorials Reports Glossary

Strategy Analytics Predicts Ongoing Wireless Instant Messaging Growth

7:00 am on November 28, 2006 | Category: Mobile Devices, Wireless, Cell Phones, Messaging

A recent report by Strategy Analytics suggests that business use of mobile instant messaging applications in North America and Western Europe will grow into a US$2 billion market by 2010.

Whether you look at enterprise-level IM platforms, or public messaging clients like MSN, AIM, and Yahoo Messenger, both IT-sanctioned and rouge use of instant messaging services is growing at an unprecedented rate. And with a new breed of business-ready smartphones now available for under $150, this trend shows no sign of stopping anytime soon.

According to Antoine Mathiaud, Strategy Analytics Senior Analyst, “Surveys we have conducted clearly suggest that mobile IM strongly resonates with business cellular users looking for efficient always-on real-time communication tools,” said SA analyst, Antoine Mathiaud. “33 percent of business cellular users in Western Europe, and 48 percent in North America, are interested in presence-enabled services such as IM. Moreover, the next generation of worker is one that cannot remember life without the Internet. This is a segment that is extremely receptive, even addicted, to IM and presence-enabled applications.”

Wireless Enterprise Strategies director, Cliff Raskind, meanwhile, describes wireless IM as “the new data challenger to voice’s exclusive to date on real-time mobile communications.” He says that “presence-enabled services including IM and SIP-based voice will allow (for) better coordination and control of highly effective interactive real-time communications, while reigning in their often intrusive nature.”