The total number of mobile TV subscribers will grow to 462 million in the next five years, according to ABI Research. 

This increase will be driven in large part by the expansion of 3G networks, the company said, and flat-rate plans for mobile video. The build-out of mobile video delivery networks and an increase in the amount of available content will also contribute to the market’s growth.
 
“Mobile operators’ sustained investment in video delivery will continue to be rewarded by subscribers’ growing adoption rates, particularly as they upgrade to new video-capable handsets,” said research director Mike Wolf. “Consumers are being increasingly enticed by better experiences through more powerful and larger screens as well as by a widening array of subscription options.”
 
The Asia-Pacific region is seen as the overall leader in the adoption of mobile video services. The number of subscribers to mobile video services there will grow from 24 million in 2007 to more than 260 million by 2012, according to ABI.
 
“South Korea and Japan will continue to lead worldwide, while some countries in Western Europe will also continue to see strong growth,” said Wolf. “North America will also see some strong uptake as more services become available in 2008 with the launch of AT&T’s MediaFlo service, the continued expansion of Verizon Wireless’ MediaFlo subscriber base and the growth of on-demand mobile video services.”
 
The study, entitled “Mobile TV Services,” provides an overview of the mobile TV and video industry.

It forms part of four of the company’s subscription research services: digital media, mobile content, mobile devices and mobile operators.

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