Music, Videos Drive $6 Billion Asia Pacific Mobile Market

Music and video assets are now driving a $6 billion premium mobile market in the Asia Pacific, according to research from Frost & Sullivan. According to the group, the premium mobile market grew 57.4 percent last year to reach revenues of $5.98 billion. The gains cover ten countries within the region outside of Japan and Australasia. A major stimulant comes from 3G, which is encouraging the use of music and video applications. "3G enhances user experience and encourages the development of compelling premium content applications such as music and video, identified as one of the fastest-growing segments in mobile entertainment," said senior Frost & Sullivan research analyst Jeff Teh.

The figures are enough to make stateside operators drool, though content providers are also cashing in. According to the report, third-party content providers received $4.62 billion of the action, while mobile operators retained the remaining 22.8 percent. Meanwhile, assets like text messaging and ringtones remained strong contributors, though newer formats like ringback tones, OTA downloads and mobile gaming posted strong gains. "Music and video applications are believed to hold the strongest potential to increase operators' average revenue per user (ARPU)," the group said.

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Verizon Snags AC/DC Download Exclusive, Restrictions Apply

Verizon Wireless is now trumpeting an exclusive download deal involving AC/DC, a longtime digital holdout. The deal is currently the focus of a number of Verizon Wireless advertisements, which also feature the LG Chocolate. Elsewhere, Verizon executives are hoisting the arrangement as a score over iTunes, normally a favorite for exclusives like these. "You won't be able to get this through any other mobile carrier and you certainly won't be able to get it through iTunes," said John Harrobin, senior vice president for marketing and digital media at Verizon Wireless in comments this morning to the Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, Verizon is heavily promoting the catalog to its subscribers both online and via mobile decks. But interested fans are being subjected to a number of strings attached, including an inability to purchase individual downloads. Except for the track "You Shook Me All Night Long," all full-song downloads must be purchased within bundled albums. Moreover, the remaining catalog must also be purchased on the Verizon Wireless website, and subsequently sideloaded to the device. The restrictions could explain the choice of partner for AC/DC, especially considering that Apple rarely permits album-only purchases. Verizon is also spinning a number of exclusive ringback tones from the band.

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