M:Metrics, the industry authority on the measurement subscriber consumption of mobile content and applications, reports that photo messaging grew, with 7.3 percent of mobile subscribers reporting they sent a photo message; while overall consumption of mobile content declined.

This months data is indicative of the dynamism of the mobile market, said Mark Donovan, senior analyst and vice president, product, M:Metrics. Overall, we see the seasonality of the usage of mobile content that subscribers consume more content over the holidays.

Consumers are responding positively to the relatively new ability to send photos across carrier networks. Clearly, interoperability will facilitate the growing trend in the use of photo messaging.

Ringtone downloads remained strong, growing steadily month over month. Donovan attributes this trend to increased subscriber awareness of the availability of downloadable ringtones, due to aggressive marketing by third parties, such as Verisigns Jamster, Zingy and the carriers themselves.

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