Forecast: Mobile phones to reach 100% saturation by 2013

Advertisers should get those mobile marketing plans in order. According to a new forecast from SNL Kagan Research, mobile phones will reach the 100% saturation point in the next six years - and that will spur the mobile ad market.

by Kristina Knight

Researchers from SNL Kagan say 84% of the U.S. population will have cell phones by the end of this year and 100% of users will have cell phones by 2013. As more users sign on with mobile companies text messaging, mobile Internet and video use will also increase, which is a sign that advertisers need to get those future mobile marketing plans out now.

Right now mobile advertising brings in about $500 million each year. Data revenue will be see the most growth at about 14% annually; the analysts expect date revenue to reach 22% of the entire mobile spend by 2013.

Which consumers are the best target market for mobile advertisers? That remains to be seen, but a recent study by Ball State University researchers indicate that college students may be an advertiser's best bet. According to their report roughly 55% of college aged users are open to receiving some sort of mobile ad.

But, they want something in return - free ring tones, mobile coupons, free minutes and online access are at the top of the wish lists for those viewing mobile ads.

Some forecasters say that the mobile spend will reach into the billions by 2011.