A report from Juniper Research, “Mobile Adult Content: Text, Images & Video, 2006-2011,” forecasts that the mobile adult content market will grow from $1.4 billion in 2006 to more than $3.3 billion by 2011. The most lucrative regional markets will be the already well-developed and high-priced European market, with the Asia-Pacific market running a close second.

Juniper estimates that mobile porn services will generate $14.5 billion in revenues from 2006-2011, with Europe contributing 39% and Asia-Pacific 33%.

“Adult content business models have succeeded in other major delivery media: print, cinema, DVD, PPV TV, etc. There is no reason why the mobile channel should not be equally profitable for adult content industry players,” said Bruce Gibson of Juniper. “The mobile channel will reach new audiences.”

While the early mobile content market was focused on text-based services, the introduction of third generation mobile networks and phones with enhanced video and graphics has opened up new opportunities, and the growth of mobile content aimed at adults is merely one example.

As Mr. Gibson concluded, “Mobile is about fun and instant gratification. I think the biggest opportunity is at the casual and ‘softer’ end of the adult market — lads in pubs sharing a video clip after a few pints and people looking for a bit of fun when they have spare time to kill — not the hard core stuff.”