U.S. Wireless SMS, IM, and MMS Messaging 2009-2013 Forecast: Unlimited Pricing Plans Propel Market Forward

This IDC study analyzes the U.S. wireless messaging market — including short message service (SMS), instant messaging (IM), and multimedia message service (MMS) — which continues to lead the way among all data services. Messaging growth is being driven by the popularity of messaging plans that feature unlimited usage of SMS, MMS, and IM. Another contributing factor to growth is user adoption. As the number of users increases, usage patterns continue to increase.

"IDC expects that the future of the U.S. wireless messaging industry will be driven by new subscribers of the service and competitive pricing," notes Richard Murphy, research analyst, Wireless and Mobile Communications. "Carriers will focus energy on signing up all their customers for messaging services and also offering competitive pricing plans. In the end, the competitive pricing will benefit the consumer."