SINGAPORE: Mobile content will drive future growth for Singapore telcos, according to industry experts at a forum on Tuesday.

They said mobile users want more than just standard phone services and there is nothing like good mobile content to drive away the boredom of travelling in public transport every day.

According to I-pop – a specialist provider in mobile content – the mobile service industry will break the US$1 trillion mark by the end of this year and Singapore telcos need to tap into the lucrative pie.

Colin Miles, Executive Vice President, I-pop, said: "In Singapore, I think it is huge. We are looking at a subscription base pushing 4 million, and a very tech-savvy and internet-savvy audience of people who want very good branding content."

Mobile TV is seen as one big area of growth.

Kamarulhisham Harun, Content Development & Management Specialist, Maxis Communication, Malaysia, said: "If you look at Singapore, many of them use public transport, so it's good for them to kill time.

"They can use their mobile phones to surf the internet and to watch TV. Many of them want to know what's happening around them, so they can actually watch news."

With the mobile market at saturation point in Singapore, bringing the internet experience onto mobile devices is seen as a key way to drive future revenue growth.

Ziad al Masri, Mobile Data Services, Senior Manager, Zain, Jordan, said: "If the mobile operator does try to copy and improve on the internet experience whereby the customer, who has access to the internet for a simple plan, can copy information onto their mobile (phones), it will be easier for the customer at the end of the day, and the operator will benefit in terms of revenue, usage and penetration."

According to I-pop, global subscriber base is estimated to reach 3 to 7 billion by the end of this year, and by 2012, one million subscribers could be signing up every day.


- CNA/so