Indian mobile downloads to earn $8bn by 2013

The Indian subcontinent's mobile download revenues will hit USD 8.3 billion by 2013, driven by music and games as well as browsing, according to a study by Juniper Research.

The report, written by Dr Windsor Holden, found that while ringtones are currently the most lucrative service across the region, games would contribute a substantial revenue stream by the end of the forecast period. The report pins the upwards drive in mobile phone data use on the difficulty in obtaining fixed landline internet access and the relatively low cost of mobile internet in India.

"With the limited availability and relatively high cost of fixed broadband Internet across the sub continent, the mobile handset has become the de facto means of accessing Internet services," said Dr Holden.

"Regional operators were among the first to realise that low data pricing was central to encouraging service adoption, and it has paid dividends for them."

The report also observed that growth would be further bolstered as 3G networks were deployed, although noting that in India, 3G services were now unlikely to be launched until 2009.