The next major mobile opportunity is already bubbling below the surface and will be a user shift from SMS to mobile IM. RCR Wireless wrote a recent piece on the changing landscape and the challenges it will create for carriers that will see their once growing SMS revenues decline as users begin to adopt mobile IM instead. According to the Radicati Group, the installed base of online IM fans is already 1.2 billion and is pegged to grow to 1.9 billion over the next four years. However, mobile IM also offers an expanded horizon of revenue opportunities for carriers to put together attractive service offerings that incorporate social networking, communities, blogging, and interactivity with other mobile media.

Currently, mobile IM is used by only 8% of mobile consumers worldwide, according to TNS Global Telecoms. Undoubtedly, mobile IM (MIM) will leave SMS in the dust and for good reason: its free, its faster and the availability and emergence of powerful, cross-platform tools such as those from mobile communications innovator Geodesic* are porting popular desktop-based messaging and communication functionality to the mobile phone. (Currently about 15% of iPhone users use Geodesic’s Mundu IM universal iPhone edition tool.)

While the mobile landscape change is well underway, it bodes well for the ecosystem: mobile communications service providers that are pioneering enhanced tools for users; carriers once they figure out new business models that will be successful and appeal to users; and users who will be the ultimate winners as they will have bigger, better, faster ways to create, consume and communicate with their own network of friends and family.

(Full disclosure: Geodesic is a client of Ignite PR.)

Lots of stuff coming out of CTIA this week. These two items caught our attention that bode well for the growing adoption of 3G-enabled smartphones in the US. Gizmodo reports that the AT&T Mobility CEO spilled the beans related to Apple, noting to expect a 3G iPhone in months.
http://gizmodo.com/375314/straight-from-att-mobility-ceos-mouth-3g-iphone-in-months-and-299-vu

The second piece came on the heels of RIM announcing projected growth for its smartphones in the US is taking off like wildfire. Citigroup estimates that the smartphone market will grow 50% to 60% annually in the next few years. It also estimates that smartphones will account for 22% of the handset market next year, almost triple its 8.5% share in 2006.
http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/01/smartphones-soaring-good-news-for-apple-rim-nokia.html

It’s welcome news to our ears that the US market is moving away from dumb phones as an increasing number of consumers open up their wallets to join the bandwagon of using supercharged smartphones.

Here’s one more recent study comScore issued last week regarding the blazing trail of mobile broadband growth. http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=2099