Mobile ticketing set to soar by 2015

There will be over 750 million mobile ticket users by 2015, says Juniper

Mobile ticketing is predicted to become so popular that one in every eight mobile users globally will either have a ticket delivered to their mobile phone or buy a ticket with their phone by 2015, according to the latest analysis from Juniper Research.

The research firm predicts there will be a total of over 750 million mobile ticketing users by 2015, from 230 million or one in 20 mobile users worldwide currently. Tickets will be delivered by SMS, bar codes, mobile web, smartphone apps or near-field communications (NFC).

The Mobile Ticketing report said that the period between now and 2013 will see mobile ticketing move from a minority to a mainstream experience.

There will be opportunities for mobile ticketing across the transport, sport, entertainment and events sectors, according to the report, and mobile will play an increasing role in air and rail travel, festivals and cinemas.

"Mobile technology is moving the ticket machine into our pockets. Our research demonstrated that mobile ticketing will change the way that many people buy and obtain their regular, everyday tickets that are mostly printed at the moment," said report author Howard Wilcox.

"We foresee strong acceptance driven not only by airlines but also cinemas and some sports events: bar coded boarding passes are a clear case in point," he added.