US mobile broadband grew by 24% in 2008

The market for mobilebroadband in North America grew by 24 per cent year-on-year during 2008, new research claims.

According to a World Cellular Data Metrics report by analysis firm Informa Telecoms & Media, over 15 per cent of revenues for global mobile operators now derive from non-voice services.

Nick Jotischky, principal analyst at the company, described the growth of mobile data as an "important finding".

"As non-voice services are becoming a central plank to mobile operator strategies at a time of increasingly high penetration rates, low voice tariffs and intense competition," he said.

"Not only can data services help to keep the offerings of mobile operators more relevant and distinct from their competitors, but they can also help to raise ARPU [average revenue per user] levels and generate new customers."

In related news, research by Chetan Sharma Consulting has revealed that the US market for mobile data has now passed $10 billion (£6.549 billion).