According to Juniper Research, global telecom mobile data revenue is forecast to grow from $57 billion in 2014 to $90 billion by 2018. Further, data roaming represented an estimated 36 per cent of the global mobile roaming revenues in 2013.
The research firm states that mobile roaming revenue will account for over 8 per cent of the global operator billed revenues by 2018. These revenues will largely be driven by increasing data usage, primarily from a reduction in roaming charges. However, despite the projected growth in data roaming revenues, the behavior of the non-user segment, which does not use voice and data services while roaming, presents a huge challenge to operators both in terms of customer satisfaction and revenue expansion.
Juniper Research concludes that operators have the opportunity to encourage non-data roamers to use data through package-based roaming services. Such offerings would help subscribers have a better and transparent understanding of what they are paying for, thereby encouraging data usage amongst non users as well.
