Despite undergoing a pronounced economic slowdown, the revenues generated from the Spanish mobile data market are set to double within the next five years, says a new study from Pyramid Research.
According to the author, Stela Bokun, mobile data revenues will double from US$4.1 billion in 2009 to US$$8.3 billion in 2014. "Mobile data ARPU, which accounted for 15 per cent of the total in 2008, will grow considerably over the next five years, accounting for 28 per cent of the total ARPU in 2014."
"Remote connectivity and infotainment service revenues are expected to skyrocket, driven by operators' efforts to boost adoption of advanced data services," said Bokun. "Vodafone, for example, currently offers a 15-day free trial and two months of service free for clients who sign up for its mobile broadband service. Similarly, Orange offers all new subscribers the same service at a 60 per cent discount for the first three months."
This predicted increase in mobile data usage will be helped by Vodafone's recent decision to offer DRM-free music tracks in Spain following agreements with Universal Music, Sony Music Entertainment, EMI, Warner Music and other labels. The service enables dual delivery of DRM free music to a range of mobile phones and PCs with no need to sideload or synchronise.
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