Global mobile services revenues will rocket to $126bn by 2008, accounting for almost a fifth of mobile operator revenues.

While voice revenues are forecast to grow at a slower pace, the mobile market will continue to expand as services such as messaging, games and music start to penetrate the mass market, according to a report published by the ARC Group.

Richard Jesty, lead author of the Mobile Content and Applications 2003 report, explained that mobile services will develop from early adopters and the youth sector to include the wider consumer mass market, as well as business users.

"This will mean an increase in total revenues for operators, as these new mobile services will offset the likely shift from voice calls to messaging," he said in a statement.

Messaging, music and games were tipped as the services that would account for most revenue growth.

ARC Group also forecast strong growth for business use of mobile services, with high usage levels and a growing awareness of the value of adding mobility to front-office applications.

These factors will help put office applications aimed at the mobile business user in third place after messaging and entertainment by 2008.