Although adult content has been a revolutionary force in battle-testing new technology, few analysts model the industry’s impact on mobile. One firm bucking the trend is London-based Informa Telecoms & Media, whose analysts see a less-than-stellar future for adult content in the mobile arena.
According to Informa analysts, the global market for mobile erotica will be $2.3 billion by 2010. While that number may seem extraordinary to some, Informa calls that prediction “a bit of a flop” compared to previous guesses at what the emerging market might look like.
But even if the numbers come out differently, Informa is certain that the success or failure of adult content on mobile devices will depend on how carriers respond.
According to the report, mobile carriers, content providers and regulators will have to work together on issues like age verification. However, Informa describes the current attitude of the mobile industry to adult content producers as “ambivalent.”
Still, if adult content can leap the mobile hurtles, content producers will be in the driver’s seat, according to Informa.
"Although mobile operators have the most at stake, they may not necessarily be the real winners from the provision of mobile TV and video in the long term, " Helen Ponsford, the author of Informa’s report, said. “It is the content owners that are best placed to capture the lion's share of the revenue, not least because they can take advantage of their control over mobile broadcast rights to ensure that distribution of content is on their terms rather than the operator."