8th September 2004 - With good momentum already in the US and worldwide, In-Stat/MDR believes that mobile gaming, while remaining a niche market, will continue its rise as a key contributor to wireless data usage and revenues. The high-tech market research firm estimates that, by 2009, mobile gaming services in the US will generate $1.8 billion annually, or approximately 4.4% of total wireless data revenues. Additionally, by 2009, 78.6 million wireless subscribers in the US will play mobile games, and gaming downloads will increase more than tenfold from 2003 levels.

Mobile gaming has come a long way since 'Snake' was first deployed on wireless handsets in 1997. In-Stat/MDR's recent Consumer Mobility Study revealed that, at present, 6.5% of US wireless subscribers are extremely or very interested in purchasing mobile gaming services. This level of interest clearly identifies mobile gaming as a niche opportunity for wireless carriers, application developers, and content producers.