• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, October 5, 2005

According to a recent report from In-Stat, mobile music service, either in the form of downloadable music files or broadcast digital radio, have greater interest among US mobile customers than gaming, an application that is now providing some of the greatest mobile data revenue. However, until key issues such as pricing, revenue sharing and Digital Rights Management (DRM) can be worked out in the ecosystem, widespread uptake of music applications may be on hold.

In-Stat found:

• Music Intenders are willing to pay extra for their mobile phones. Over one-fourth spent more than $150 for their current handset; more than two-thirds expect to buy new phones before the end of 2005
• Overall, 34% of wireless subscribers surveyed are "somewhat", "very", or "extremely" interested in mobile music services
• Survey respondents who could be classified as "MP3 Intenders" have a distinct demographic profile when compared with the general population. They are younger, male, prefer Sprint PCS and T-Mobile, and spend more on their handsets

David Chamberlain, In-Stat analyst, says "The window to catch a group of wireless users we call 'Mobile Music Intenders,' (those interested in mobile music services) may be closing soon. They're ready to buy new handsets and they're willing to pay extra for handsets that play music, (but) without available music services or handsets, carriers may miss this opportunity to grab what could end up being a very lucrative mobile music market."

More information can be found here.