HONG KONG, Oct. 20, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Institute for International Research: With mobile entertainment expected to generate revenues of up to approximately US$47 billion by 2010 in Asia Pacific, it is no wonder that vendors continue to see Asia as a key growth region. If the numbers according to the UMTS Forum are anything to go by, mobile entertainment will be the key contributor to wireless data usage and revenues. In response to this huge market growth opportunity, the 3G World Congress and Exhibition will bring together global players from the mobile entertainment industry in a special forum session that focuses on "Profiting from Mobile Content, Gaming and Entertainment Business Over 3G."
This session will be led by senior executives from industry players including Bonus Mobile Entertainment; CinemaElectric; Crazyfunbabe of KidsWebTv; Electronic Arts Asia; EMI Music; ESPN; Green Tomato; In-Fusio Asia, China; Irdeto; KTF; Mobile Media Asia Pacific; Mobile Entertainment Forum; Musiwave; Qualcomm Internet Services and Warner Music Group. The session aims to discuss some of the profitable business models for mobile TV, gaming and entertainment services and applications.
"The 3G World Congress and Exhibition is an increasingly significant event in the global telecom industry calendar. We are pleased to present a series of expert panel discussions on mobile entertainment that explore how mobile technologies are used as marketing and entertainment distribution channels and ways entertainment players are monetizing their content through subscription services and downloads," said Daniel Kirwin, Managing Director of the 3G World Congress and Exhibition. "As the entertainment world continues on its exponential growth, this special forum will inspire the direction of where it is going."
Industry analysts forecast multi-billion dollar revenues for mobile games, mobile music and other forms of mobile entertainment. Research by Informa Telecoms & Media analysts estimate global mobile games revenues will be worth US$2.6 billion by the end of 2005, an increase of US$ 1.3 billion from last year. According to the research, Japan is the leading country of mobile entertainment both in technology and content. South Korea is currently the fastest growing mobile entertainment market in Asia, and China, Taiwan and Singapore are expected to follow suit.
"Mobile entertainment is definitely a fast-growing market segment in Asia to reckon with. We are pleased to be a participant in the 3G World Congress and Exhibition which brings together key industry players to discuss the most important industry issues. We believe that Hong Kong has the advantage of becoming a mobile content hub due to its historically and culturally rich content and other forms of entertainment. We believe entertainment and game services on mobile will be more and more multi-media rich with convergence and crossover from different industries, such as intensive interactive video-blending with mobile game and cross-selling among different mobile products. That is an indication that the market is ready in adopting 3G-enabled mobile entertainment," said Arthur Chang, Founder and CEO of Green Tomato.
"As a member of the mobile entertainment industry we are very excited to participate in this special forum session focusing on mobile entertainment at the 3G World Congress and Exhibition. The success of the mobile entertainment industry depends on sustainable revenue models that support all participants across the stages of the value chain. As the industry continues to expand participants will continue to increase presence supporting this emerging business opportunity," commented Stefan Rust, Interim Chair of Mobile Entertainment Forum Asia. "Amongst all forms of mobile entertainment, gaming and music are clearly establishing themselves in the industry whilst mobile TV is one of the most talked-about applications this year. Mobile TV will develop into a new medium with its niche in the years to come."
Commenting on the opportunities and challenges of mobile entertainment industry in Asia, David Wong, General Manager of Mobile Media Asia Pacific said, "Asian content providers embrace difficulties in the relatively low price for mobile content and unfavorable revenue-sharing with the operator in some countries. Despite facing a number of hurdles, we are fully upbeat towards the significant growth potential of mobile entertainment in Asia as consumers continue to demand for compelling and entertaining mobile content. In particular, music and ringtone download services will remain as the most important growth driver in the industry."
The special track session "Profiting from Mobile Content, Gaming and Entertainment Business Over 3G" will take place at 2:30 p.m. on 17 and 18 November 2005. To explore the mobile entertainment world, please feel free to register for the event at https://www.3gcongress.com/en/news_centre/press_pass/registration.html
Anchored in Hong Kong, the 3G World Congress & Exhibition is now in its 10th year. Recognized as the leading and networking place in Asia for the mobile industry, this year's event is expected to draw over 8,000 visitors, up approximately 50% from last year. Daniel Kirwin concluded, "Mobile Entertainment is one of the new and emerging areas being studied by mobile operators around the world. Our exhibitors are planning to demonstrate the latest in mobile gaming at this year's 3G World Congress and Exhibition."
About the 3G World Congress and Exhibition
The 3G World Congress and Exhibition is the leading annual wireless business event in Asia, both in terms of size and quality of attendees. The congress is known as the global meeting place where CEOs, MDs, and Directors from operators and service providers can actively debate and exchange ideas on the developments in 3G and other wireless and mobility technologies.
The 3G World Congress and Exhibition logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2020