Asia-Pacific's mobile services market will grow to reach $271.4 billion by 2014, according to IDC.
While voice services will see slower growth, data connectivity and mobile broadband revenue are expected to experience a strong growth pace.
“From 2012 to 2017, IDC projects that the growth rate for voice services revenue in APeJ will slow down and achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5%.” said IDC in its press release. “However, data connectivity or mobile broadband revenue will grow at a CAGR of 19.3% from 2012 to 2017.”
The growth in data connectivity and mobile broadband was attributed to three key areas, namely smartphones penetration due to their affordable prices, rollout of 3G and LTE licenses, and mobile user mindshift to OTT services.
IDC defines OTT as the delivery of instant messaging, video, audio and other media over an open internet/broadband connection directly to user.
While the report focused on the impact of 3G and 4G infrastructure deployment on traditional messaging services, there is no doubt that access to faster mobile broadband will play a large role in increasing the use of mobile devices.