Parks Associates supports 4G World, Chicago

Parks Associates is a research sponsor of the 4G World Conference this September 15-18 in Chicago.

4G World is the first industry conference and expo covering the entire ecosystem for next generation networks supporting high speed broadband and full mobility, anywhere Internet access, mobile content, applications and transactions. 4G World will showcase the first 4G mobile broadband networks being launched in 2009 using mobile WiMAX technologies and the evolution of 3G mobile networks to support mobile Internet using HSPA and LTE technologies.

For more information about this event, visit http://4gworld.com/

Wireless Home Healthcare to be $4 Billion Industry by 2013

Mobile carriers to open new market opportunities in healthcare with wireless technologies

The U.S. market for wireless home-based healthcare applications and services will grow at a five-year cumulative annual growth rate of over 80% and become a $4.4 billion industry in 2013, according to Wireless Healthcare: Analysis & Forecasts.

The report from international research firm Parks Associates predicts the push for healthcare reform from the Obama Administration will ultimately boost adoption of wireless technologies in healthcare. The Federal Government is committed to promoting technology that improves healthcare efficiency, evident in the stimulus funds already allocated to electronic medical records (EMR) adoption, and this focus will open new long-term opportunities for wireless providers.

Parks Associates finds wireless technologies can benefit home care in areas such as chronic care management, medical diagnostic device monitoring, wellness and fitness applications, medication management, and senior independent living solutions.

The report suggests that mobile carriers will leverage their network resources to target vertical markets like healthcare through both wholesale and retail partnerships. Deals such as recent agreements from Verizon Wireless with LifeWatch and Qualcomm will become more commonplace as this market moves into wider availability.

Wireless Healthcare: Analysis and Forecasts analyzes how mobile and wireless networking technologies can transform personal health applications and highlights market opportunities for businesses in the global mobile healthcare market.

For the full press release, click here.

Smartphones, Data Plans, New Apps to drive Mobile Advertising Revenues to $1.5 billion in 2013

Revenues for mobile advertising in the U.S. and Canada will grow from $208 million in 2009 to approximately $1.5 billion by 2013, according to the new Parks Associates report Mobile Advertising: Analysis and Forecasts. Adoption of smartphones, 3G network data plans (or newer wireless services), and downloadable applications will spur this growth in ad revenues, with significant increases beginning in 2010.

Parks Associates estimates there were 62 million smartphone users in North America in 2008, with user penetration to reach 239 million in 2013. Parks Associates projects U.S. 3G network data plans will reach 95% penetration by 2013, with Canada achieving 70% penetration.

Mobile advertising is poised to take advantage of opportunities presented by the diffusion of 3G networks and devices such as the smartphone. Advertisers will begin to incorporate mobile into their media campaigns as this medium matures into a viable marketing space.

Way cautions that advertisers could encounter early resistance from consumers. Parks Associates’ Mobile Entertainment (Second Edition) found 38% of respondents do not want to receive mobile ads, while 37% remain neutral to the idea of ads on their mobile phone.

However, teens and young adults are more receptive to ad-supported mobile content, particularly in entertainment genres. Advertisers need to develop innovative ways to reach these consumers.

Mobile Advertising: Analysis and Forecasts examines the current mobile advertising market. It includes a market overview and analyzes effective mobile ad formats and current pricing models. The report examines opportunities driving overall growth and inhibitors threatening continued expansion and includes mobile advertising revenue forecasts through 2013.

For the full press release, click here.