60% of Mobile Phones Have Cameras

AUGUST 27, 2007

Three in five US mobile users now have cameras built into their handsets, up from about 40% in 2006, according to In-Stat's "Camera Phones and Social Networking—A New Global Focus" report.

In-Stat also estimated that more than one billion camera phones would be in use globally by 2008. The firm predicted that mobile blogging and picture sharing would generate mobile data revenue for carriers.

"This growing focus provides financial opportunities for mobile device networks, social networking site operators and software developers," said Jill Meyers, an In-Stat analyst, in a statement.

"Mobile device networks can benefit through traditional methods of data plans, as well as per-message and per-photo charges," she said.