As SMS revenues are expected to start declining in 2017, the messaging community meets on 3 & 4 December in London at Wholesale Messaging and SMS World to form critical partnerships and debate new business models to unlock revenues.
While some predict the death of SMS, its reach still makes it a widely used tool. In the last years, there has been a rise in OTT applications (over-the-top content, referring to delivery of media over the internet without the use of an operator, such as Whatsapp), but these require data usage, which is not available in many areas of the world. On the other hand, SMS has gained an ally in A2P (application-to-person, referring to business messages), helping it boost revenue.
A2P is helping SMS build revenues lost to OTT
SMS is expected to generate more than $100 billion in 2014, equivalent to 50 times the total revenue from all instant messaging services on mobile phone (MIM). Analysts have predicted that the SMS market will continue to generate significantly greater revenues than MIM until at least 2017, when global SMS revenues are expected to start falling.
An important revenue stream for the SMS industry comes from enterprises. They are trying to engage with customers and link up with carriers through the SMS channel, giving the messaging world the chance to secure new revenue streams. Some of the industries that are using A2P effectively are banking and finance, transport, health, retail and delivery services.
Global industry players are debating key trends in London
On 3 & 4 December, members of the entire SMS value chain will join Wholesale Messaging and SMS World in London. As the only conference focusing on the needs and challenges of the wholesale sector, the event will bring together global organisations within the SMS and messaging community. The event strives to provide a space for discussions, where industry leaders identify future trends and leverage new business opportunities.
Perry Offer, CEO of Dialogue Group, a messaging company and the event lead sponsor, says that "SMS is a key mobile service, strengthened by the growing A2P market and is expected to take over P2P (Person-to-Person) revenue by 2015. We look forward to joining the debate to highlight how we can work with wholesale businesses offering on-net connectivity and reach as well as helping MNOs monetise their A2P traffic."
