Mobile data revenues to overtake voice revenues by 2018: GSMA

The GSMA today announced that mobile operator data revenues will overtake voice revenues globally by 2018 as we move towards a fully connected world.

The mobile data explosion is being driven by a surge in demand for connected devices and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications and is

transforming the socio economic future of people in developed and developing countries.

The new report developed in collaboration with PwC, reveals how innovative mobile connected products and services will revolutionise people's lives over the next five years.

It is forecasted that in developed countries: mHealth could save $400 billion in healthcare costs in OECD countries; Connected cars could save one in nine lives through emergency calling services; mEducation can reduce student drop-outs by eight percent or 1.8 million children; and smart metering can cut carbon emissions by 27 million tonnes

In developing countries: mHealth will help save one million lives in sub-Saharan Africa; mAutomotive will improve food transport and storage, which could help feed more than 40 million people annually; mEducation can enable 180 million students to further their education; and intelligent transport systems could reduce commute times by 35 percent, giving commuters back a whole week each year.

"Mobile data is not just a commodity, but is becoming the lifeblood of our daily lives, society and economy, with more and more connected people and things," said Michael O'Hara, chief marketing officer, GSMA.

This is an immense responsibility and the mobile industry needs to continue collaborating with governments and key industry sectors to

deliver products and services that help people around the world improve their businesses and societies added Hara.

In 2012, Japan became the first country where data revenues exceeded voice revenues, due largely to the availability of advanced mobile

broadband networks and a higher adoption of the latest smartphones, tablets and connected devices. This year, Argentina's data revenues will

exceed voice revenues, attaining this milestone ahead of the US and UK, which will reach this point in 2014.

Kenya will experience this shift in 2016, with other emerging economies expected to follow as mobile broadband continues to thrive.

Data growth has spurred significant advances in connected devices and M2M technologies globally. Four sectors in particular - health, automotive, education and smart cities - are building on the evolution of mobile broadband access and services.

A staggering 360 million tonnes of carbon is emitted by developed market cities each year. Through smart metering this could be reduced by 27