In its report, ’The Asian-Pacific Mobile Data Experience: Forecasted Overview,’ the Yankee Group offers updated forecasts and analysis of mobile data services and trends in the Asia-Pacific region. The report highlights key drivers for mobile data adoption as well as presents the success stories of selected operators that have deployed data services.

According to Shiv Putcha, an analyst with the Yankee Group, "For Asian operators other than NTT DoCoMo, the best short term strategy for mobile data continues to be SMS-based services over existing 2G network, and new SMS and WAP-based services over GPRS and cdma20001x networks."

Overview of the report’s key findings and projections, as of the end of 2006, are as follows:

• Mobile data subscribers to number 411.2 million — 64 percent of the mobile subscribers and 11 percent of the population in the region.

• Data service revenues will amount to $308.1-billion, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the total service revenues.

• SMS will continue to be the de facto killer application across the region.

According to the Yankee Group, operators in the region have recognized that mobile data will not only generate new revenue streams, but also have a positive qualitative impact on consumers. However, efforts have been hampered by device delays, limited choice of terminals, premium pricing, and software problems along with the uncertainty among operators over content strategy and packaging.