Over-the-top communications services: Emerging monetization paths

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The strategy of most, if not all, OTT messaging providers is to gain scale first and then monetize. All communications OTT apps with global aspirations are in a race to become the biggest platform in order to attract developers, which in turn should add more value to an offering. OTT players are transforming their communications apps into rich media platforms that serve as social networking hubs, offering a number of media services. Apps built on top of messaging enable users to solve broad problems. Messaging becomes a hub for consuming content and making transactions. LINE Messenger and WeChat are the few OTT communications players to demonstrate revenue. They can serve as a blueprints for other players. Messaging apps have significantly eroded carriers’ revenue from previous cash generators such as SMS services. The threat to carriers is increasing with the migration of voice calls from carriers to VoIP providers such as Skype and WhatsApp. WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger represent the most disruptive OTT communications players in the market. Monetization could be highly disruptive. A number of partnership opportunities are emerging as carriers are growing convinced that they can generate revenue from OTT communications. The challenge lies in business tie-ups and infrastructure capabilities.

Scope

“Over-the-top communications services: Emerging monetization paths” offers an analysis of the state of the OTT communications market, the market drivers, and a number of company initiatives that highlight how market players are moving toward monetization. We highlight a number of monetization strategies and case studies employed by the world’s largest OTT communications players. We also look at how carriers are impacted by OTT communications providers and how they can partner with key players to drive revenue. We conclude with recommendations for OTT companies and carriers.

The Report is structured as follows:

Section 1: Market context. This section provides an overview of the OTT communications providers along with the competitive landscape and recent acquisitions and investments in OTT messaging app market. It also provides details on key OTT communications features and information on these communications apps are now evolving into powerful digital platforms.

Section 2: Emerging monetization strategies. Here we explore the various monetization strategies adopted by the major OTT communications companies globally.

Section 3: OTT communications case studies. The report includes six case studies: Facebook Messenger, Line, Viber, WeChat, Snapchat and WhatsApp. Each case study offers detailed analysis of the trajectory and approach taken by OTT service providers for generating revenues along with the progress made in recent years.

Section 4: Key findings and recommendations. We conclude with a summary of our findings on the emerging monetization paths adopted by various OTT service providers around the world, as well as specific recommendations for network carriers and OTT service providers looking to increase their revenue and develop partnerships in the OTT arena.

Reasons to Buy

Assess revenue models for OTT communications services and learn what works and what doesn’t.

Learn effective strategies for minimizing the adverse impact of OTT communications services on mobile carrier business

Examine the business case for OTT/carrier partnerships

3 Hong Kong China
Apple
Alibaba
Bharti Airtel
Cell C
Facebook
Google
Kik
Line Corp
Microsoft
Nextpeer
Ooredoo
Rakuten
Samsung
Singtel
Snapchat
Skype (Microsoft)
Tango
Tencent
Viber
WeChat
WhatsApp (Facebook)

Table of Contents

Table of contents

Table of exhibits

Executive Summary

Section 1: OTT communications market context

State of the market

Competitor landscape

Key features

Business model evolution

Section 2: Emerging monetization strategies

Digital content

Sponsored chats

Advertising

Mobile payments / commerce

Section 3: OTT communications provider case studies

Facebook Messenger

LINE

Snapchat

Viber

WeChat

WhatsApp

Section 4: The OTT/carrier partner model

Why carriers and OTTs need partnerships

OTT/carrier partnership landscape

OTT/carrier partnership opportunities

Section 5: Key findings & recommendations

Key findings

Recommendations

Appendices

Acronyms and definitions

Companies mentioned

About Pyramid Research

Pyramid Research contact information

Table

Exhibit 1: WhatsApp subscriber growth

Exhibit 2: User statistics from the world’s largest OTT communications players

Exhibit 3: Key OTT company investments

Exhibit 4: Key OTT messaging and voice feature offers

Exhibit 5: Digital platform timeline of line and WeChat

Exhibit 6: Digital content offerings from OTT providers

Exhibit 7: KIK’S promoted chats

Exhibit 8: Spchat’s value proposition to advertisers

Exhibit 9: WeChat’s wallet is an app-within-an-app model

Exhibit 10: Monetization strategies of major OTT communications companies

Exhibit 11: Facebook messenger M virtual assistant

Exhibit 12: Line Corp’s app revenue from 2012-2015

Exhibit 13: Spchat’s lens store

Exhibit 14: Viber ads running in the U.S. Market

Exhibit 15: Sample of WeChat’s marketing partners

Exhibit 16: Facebook messenger and WhatsApp downloads

Exhibit 17: Examples of opportunities for OTT/carrier partnerships

Exhibit 18: Sample of zero-rated and discount OTT services offered by carrier

Exhibit 19: Potential OTT/carrier tie-ups

Figures

Exhibit 1: WhatsApp subscriber growth

Exhibit 2: User statistics from the world’s largest OTT communications players

Exhibit 3: Key OTT company investments

Exhibit 4: Key OTT messaging and voice feature offers

Exhibit 5: Digital platform timeline of line and WeChat

Exhibit 6: Digital content offerings from OTT providers

Exhibit 7: KIK’S promoted chats

Exhibit 8: Spchat’s value proposition to advertisers

Exhibit 9: WeChat’s wallet is an app-within-an-app model

Exhibit 10: Monetization strategies of major OTT communications companies

Exhibit 11: Facebook messenger M virtual assistant

Exhibit 12: Line Corp’s app revenue from 2012-2015

Exhibit 13: Spchat’s lens store

Exhibit 14: Viber ads running in the U.S. Market

Exhibit 15: Sample of WeChat’s marketing partners

Exhibit 16: Facebook messenger and WhatsApp downloads

Exhibit 17: Examples of opportunities for OTT/carrier partnerships

Exhibit 18: Sample of zero-rated and discount OTT services offered by carrier

Exhibit 19: Potential OTT/carrier tie-ups

Frequently asked questions

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