14 DAY TRIAL // The demand for mobile access to Web 2.0 applications and services is expected to increase significantly in the near future, a recent report from Juniper Research shows. According to the firm, the revenues from Web 2.0 mobile should reach $18.9 billion in 2014, driven upwards mainly by presence-enabled communities, such as mobile voice-over-IP (VoIP).
At the same time, the research firm notes that the fast growth of social Web, which includes social networking, user-generated content (UGC) and mobile dating, chat & professional applications, will also play an important role in the increase of these revenues. Moreover, it seems that another important factor will be geolocation, as it is present in more and more Web 2.0 mobile mash-up service offerings.
At the same time, the report shows that there are a great deal of opportunities in the mobile market based on advertising, messaging, premium services and virtual economies, as well as on the micro-billing capability of mobile. However, online service providers will also face a number of challenges, including pricing models and monetization of Web 2.0.
In addition, Juniper Research notes that one should not underestimate the size and complexity of the Web 2.0 mobile market, even if there are a wide range of opportunities for companies in the service delivery chain. Fragmentation exists here at all levels, it seems, and there are also multiple routes to the market, the research firm reports.
“A confluence of Web 2.0 concepts and end-user behaviour exploiting both the Web and the mobile phone as delivery platforms is driving mobile Web adoption and shaping industry development,” says report author, Ian Chard. “Yet the distinction between service provider roles is becoming less clear-cut, meaning some commercial allies are finding themselves increasingly polarised as the market progresses.”
Other findings of the new report include: - Off-portal applications and OTT (over-the-top) services – such as mobile IM and VoIP, SMS and social network-based ‘in-mail’ – represent a significant threat to operator revenues - Smartphones, app storefronts, and Web 2.0 applications are driving demand for cloud computing, and innovation in the service delivery environment – including Telecom Web Services, open APIs, and PaaS (platform as a service) and SaaS (software as a service).