SMS in the U.S. - The Right Technology for Cellular Messaging Success?

With 270 billion messages sent globally last year, and the figure continuing to grow year-on-year, this communications tool has revolutionized the way that consumers and businesses across the world interact. Pricing issues and a lack of awareness of the service, are both factors that can be easily overcome by American carriers, however the results show the US market failing to embrace SMS technology as widely as the rest of the world. Speculations of other non-voice cellular communications technology, such as MMS, Mobile Instant Messaging or Mobile E-mail, could be the reason for fueling data-revenue growth in the U.S. instead.

The U.S. market for cellular communications grew 13.5% from 2002 to a value of $88 billion in 2003 and the market for wireless service in the U.S. is extremely concentrated with the top six companies sharing more than 70% of the total market. As of second quarter of 2004 the number of U.S. wireless subscribers was 163.5 million, up from slightly under 154 million at the close of 2003. The top-tier national carriers are no longer adding subscribers at the sustained rates of the past, and other factors such as ARPU, CPGA, and churn are becoming a more critical basis upon which to assess their relative strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities.

In the United States, more than 33% of mobile users are actively using text messaging- a total of 38 million. As of first quarter of 2004, mobile subscribers in Western Europe reached 332 million, for a penetration rate of 85%. Fifty million of these subscribers live in the United Kingdom, and 73% of UK subscribers use text messaging. As in continental Europe, text messaging in the UK is appealing to mobile users of all incomes and education levels. However in America texting is biased to the young - 57% of SMS users (of the 53% of mobile owners) are within the 18-25 year old age bracket.

By studying trends and business models from Europe and Asia, and the SMS strategies and solutions of the major U.S. carriers this report provides recommendations and forecasts to help companies understand the market potential of SMS, and other non-voice cellular communications technologies in the U.S. The studies of the psychology of both the European and American consumer in order to offer an understanding of what action needs to be taken to realize the market opportunities in the U.S.

The report "SMS in the U.S. - The Right Technology for Cellular Messaging Success?" investigates the American market, and explains why SMS has not reached European levels of usage. The report also details what work must be completed to tap into this vital non-voice revenue potential, and where MMS, mobile IM and E-mail will be positioned in the market over the coming years.

There are extensive examples across the globe of how the SMS market has exploded into a wealth of instant communications situations, thereby vastly improving the quality, interactivity and cost of advertising, media, and business, and at the same time generating vital revenues across the wireless industry. Globally, consumers and businesses have applied SMS to their daily business applications and have received startling results. Visiongain believes that currently 270 billion messages are sent globally each year, and growth in many European markets continues to soar.

If you are interested in an overview of "SMS in the U.S. - The Right Technology for Cellular Messaging Success?" – Please send an email to Senh Ip Senh.ip@visiongain.com including: full name, Title of publication, contact telephone number, Email, and details of where you saw this release. Upon receipt of this information, an overview will be emailed to you. Also view:
http://www.ewirelessnews.com/Products/3/363/visiongain/vg/np-1/SMS-in-the-US-The-Right-Technology-for-Cellular-Messaging.html
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Background:

Visiongain is one of the fastest growing and most innovative independent media companies in Europe today. Based in London, UK, visiongain produce a host of business-2-business conferences, newsletters, management reports and e-zines focusing on the Financial markets, the Pharmaceutical, Telecoms industries and currently the Defence sector.

Visiongain publish reports produced by their in-house analysts of qualified experts in their field. Visiongain have firmly established themselves as the first port-of-call for the business professional, who needs independent, high quality, original material to rely and depend on.
Visiongain also have an event division, b2b Conferences, works in tandem with their analytical reports to provide a forum for key issues within the Telecoms and Pharmaceutical professionals.

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For additional information contact:

Senh Ip
visiongain publishing
40 Tooting High St,
London SW17 ORG, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8767 6711
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8767 5001
Email: Senh.ip@visiongain.com
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