The evolution of video-capable wireless devices has made mobile pornography an emerging cultural phenomenon and potentially profitable enterprise. Cingular’s move is one of the first taken by a wireless company in attempting to limit underage viewing of adult content.
Juniper Research recently reported that global sales of wireless porn are estimated to reach $1 billion this year, up 175 percent from 2004. However, only $30 million will account for U.S. sales, mostly because access is more difficult and wireless companies are fearful of a backlash.
Many wireless carriers have been starved for new content for some time and wireless adult content presents huge profit potential for U.S. carriers, though many wish to avoid being labeled as an “adult content distributor.” Web-enabled phones are able to download adult content from the Internet, but access is cumbersome, and carriers don't share fees with content providers.
Balancing business interests, free speech rights and protecting kids "is tricky," Cingular's Mark Siegel said. "But we feel parents should decide what [kids] access. We're giving them the ability to control what they experience."
Enabling parental controls will allow Cingular and other carriers to legitimately argue that they are transferring the responsibility of monitoring children’s downloads to parents, while offering other users services that are currently in demand.
Additionally, various other content providers are lining up to tap the U.S. market. AEBN’s Xobile offers 50,000 video clips for wireless devices. Steve Hirsch, co-CEO of Vivid Entertainment, added he expects mobile porn to eventually account for 30 percent of Vivid sales. "This is going to explode. People will want porn in their pocket," Hirsch said.
