Mobile music sales going up; ringtones going down

A new report by Juniper Research says the total value of the global mobile music market is expected to exceed $17.5 billion (£8.8bn) by 2012. The report's author, Dr Windsor Holden, describes 2007 as the 'tipping point' for mobile music adoption and says rental music services & full-track downloads will drive the market in the future. He also says current prices for ringtones are unsustainable and the market for these services may have already peaked in a number of countries. Ringtones accounted for 62% of the mobile music market in 2007 but are expected to account for just 38% by 2012. China and the Far East region will account for around 43% of all mobile music sales per annum over the next five years. [Press release]