This IDC study provides an update of its five-year forecast of the Australian cellular market with a comprehensive market overview, as well as examining the non-voice contribution, by offering projections by subscriber and service revenue markets over 2006-2010. Key industry trends and contrasts with comparable markets worldwide are leveraged to provide a future outlook and essential guidance for mobile operators and key stakeholders in the Australian mobile market.

"Australian mobile ownership and usage has achieved true ubiquity and in 2005, a new threshold has been surpassed - the preference for the prepaid billing mechanism," notes Jerson Yau, Wireless and Mobility associate analyst for IDC Australia. As this ceiling is surpassed, IDC foresees a new era in competitiveness as mobile operators tussle for mindshare and the all-important customer - no matter the cost. With the advent of true 3G network services, ensuring a high quality of service and continual innovation will be the pillars of a successful long-term strategy amongst mobile service providers.