Released on = January 20, 2006, 3:50 am

Press Release Author = Visiongain

Industry = Telecommunications

Press Release Summary = The latest report 'World Cup 2006: Scoring with mobile
content and services', published by industry research company Visiongain has found
that the tournament will generate $6.35 billion in revenue, predominantly via
text-based services and downloads, such as ring-tones and logos.

Press Release Body = San Francisco, CA, and London, UK; 19 January 2006: The 2006
football World Cup is seen as an opportunity to promote 3G, yet it will be
established content, such as text-based services that will generate the most
significant revenue. That is the opinion of the latest study, "World Cup 2006:
Scoring with mobile content and services" published by industry research company
visiongain.

The study found that the one-month long tournament will generate $6.35 billion in
revenue, with text-based services and downloads, such as ringtones and logos, the
most significant. After these services, the study found that gambling and gaming
will be the next most profitable World Cup-related content. The industry will also
look to generate revenue through interactive video messaging, video clips and even
blogging services.

"The telecoms industry has the potential to generate significant revenue from the
2006 World Cup," comments report author Adam Walkden. "However, operators aiming to
utilise the tournament's popularity to push 3G at the expense of more traditional
services will miss out. The key revenue generators will be tried and tested text
services, ringtones and logos."

"The dynamics of the market will also contribute to the strategy chosen. Nations
that have qualified for the World Cup will have different strategies available due
to the merchandising opportunities opened by having the national team on board.
However, visiongain believes that there are still significantly higher than normal
revenues to be generated in many nations that have not qualified," adds Walkden.

Operators and vendors will push 3G technologies at the World Cup in an attempt to
increase subscriber interest. They will also use it as an opportunity as a test-bed
and showcase for new services, such as mobile broadcast TV.

The content of the World Cup lends itself well to highlights clips, which operators
have been busy purchasing the rights for, as well as mobile gambling. In addition,
the event presents a perfect opportunity for operators to promote "user
communities", which are in this case tied to a particular national team. Video
streaming will be pushed to promote 3G services, particularly in Europe where 3G
operators are still looking to repay the vast sums spent on licences.

ENDS

Notes for Editors
If you are interested in a more detailed overview of this report, please e-mail
sara.peerun@visiongain.com, phone Sara on 020 8767 6711 or see
http://www.visiongainintelligence.com/reportDetail.aspx?reportId

Web Site = http://www.visiongain.com

Contact Details = Sara Peerun

Visiongain
40, Tooting High St
London SW17 0RG

Tel +44 (0)20 8767 6711
Fax +44 (0)20 8767 5001

sara.peerun@visiongain.com