AME Youth to Give Mobile Social Networks Profit Potential, Pyramid Finds

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile social network usage in Africa & the Middle East (AME) is increasing at an exponential pace, and MNOs, handset manufacturers and developers could all benefit from mobile social network proliferation, according to a new report from Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com).

Mobile Social Networks Get Profit Potential from Youth Movement examines the sources of the demand for mobile social networks, including what will sustain and increase this demand. The report explores how handset technology and mobile phone network infrastructure development can affect mobile social network usage. This analysis also includes descriptions of the areas where MNOs and handset manufacturers could connect to revenue opportunities through mobile social networks offerings in the region. Next, in our Market Detail, we discuss the economic and social changes and developments that are occurring in the AME as a result of mobile social networks. Finally, we summarize our key findings and offer recommendations to MNOs, handset manufacturers and developers.

Download an excerpt of this report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=5&sc=PRN051711_INSAME3.4

Purchase the report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/store/ins_ame_110511.htm?sc=PRN051711_INSAME3.4

In the trail of the successful launches and adoption of other mobile value-added services, such as mobile money (mMoney), Pyramid believes that mobile social networks will drive demand that could help rejuvenate the revenue growth curve for mobile operators and other third parties in the ecosystem. "Mobile social network usage in the AME is increasing at an exponential pace, and MNOs, handset manufacturers and developers could all benefit from mobile social network proliferation," says Ronda Zelezny-Green, Associate Research Analyst at Pyramid.

Pyramid believes MNOs could easily devise innovative ways to help youth and young adults consume more mobile data by leveraging their growing appetite for social networks and media. "Beyond increased data revenue generated from increased social network usage, creative mobile advertising and mobile money partnerships with mobile social network companies have the potential to generate additional revenue streams for MNOs in AME," notes Zelezny-Green.

"There is great demand for mobile social networks in AME among youth and young adults," says Zelezny-Green. "Ensuring the expansion of mobile broadband service offerings and tailoring mobile data plans for optimal mobile social networking usage could help build brand recognition among this market segment in the region," she adds.

Mobile Social Networks Get Profit Potential from Youth Movement is part of Pyramid Research's Telecom Insider Report Series and is priced at $595. Download the excerpt here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=5&sc=PRN051711_INSAME3.4.  It can be purchased online here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/store/ins_ame_110511.htm?sc=PRN051711_INSAME3.4.  For more information, please email us at info@pyr.com.

CONTACT: Jennifer Baker, +1-617-871-1910, jbaker@pyr.com

SOURCE Pyramid Research