Mobile services forecast to offset ARPU decline

Average revenue per user (ARPU) is set to decline slightly over the next three years, according to a new report from ARC Group. However, substantial increases in mobile subscriber numbers, especially in the Asia Pacific region, mean that the total mobile services market in dollar terms will grow by more than 100% by 2007. Mobile data will also increase strongly over the next three years, rising from under 10% of operators’ revenues in 2002 to over 20% in 2005, with further growth in prospect. Key contributors to this growth trend will be new applications for both consumers and business users, including online games and location-based services.