mobile applications opportunities

The growing popularity of mobile phones and other connected devices has sparked an explosion of creativity within the application developer community. New apps expand the capabilities of these devices, which in turn drive more usage. At the center of this mobile data surge are the mobile network operators (MNOs).

The opportunity is mind blowing for both entrepreneurs and established businesses in this billion-dollar industry. According to research firm Gartner, the number of mobile apps has risen from 2,500 last year to 4,500 this year, with a US$2 billion increase in revenue from app downloads to US$6.2 billion in 2010. By 2013, total sales are expected to hit US$29 billion. The UK’s mobile content market alone is worth US$1.5 billion and set to enjoy further rapid growth, in line with global growth.