Juniper Research has released its report, Mobile Location Based Services: Applications, Forecasts & Opportunities 2009-2014. The report finds that due to a combination of Smartphone proliferation, a surge in app store launches, and new developments in hybrid positioning technologies, revenues from Mobile Location-based Services (MLBS) are expected to exceed $12.7 billion (8.3 billion) by 2014.
The report reveals that while MLBS experienced a number of false dawns over the 2000-2007 period, improvements in handset user interfaces exemplified by the iPhone together with easier consumer access to an array of app distribution channels, has led to greater interest from service providers in providing MLBS applications. In addition, growth is being further facilitated by the deployment of high capacity network infrastructure and attendant increases in mobile Internet adoption, providing greater opportunities for browser-based services.
The report also notes that advertising is likely to form an increasing share of MLBS-related revenues over the next five years, and concludes that improving the user experience of MLBS on feature phones will be key in driving usage beyond the core Smartphone base. It also says that, despite the confluence of factors driving growth, deployments may still be affected by constraints including privacy and information security, while service usage will be highest in Far East & China over the next five years, with the greatest revenues coming from Western Europe.
The report provides global market forecasts for location-enabled apps sold through app stores, location-enabled apps sold through other channels, MLBS (encompassing off-board apps and browser apps), as well as mobile advertising revenues attributable to each of the above.
It also offers a detailed analysis of each of several application types, including Local Search & Information; Community Navigation; Tracking; other consumer MLBS/apps; and Business Productivity, with each sector analysed by region, channel and type of revenue.
The report considers how advances in Smartphone technology have impacted on the growth of Location-based Services; which will be the main revenue streams for MLBS; in which markets MLBS will be most successful; the likely scale of advertising expenditure on MLBS over the next five years; and how the MLBS value chain is developing and who are the main players.
Theres more information about the report here.