Scottsdale, Ariz. - Global revenue from mobile phone ringback tones is expected to nearly triple by 2012, to $4.7 billion, as the total mobile premium content market reaches $29 billion, according to a new report from market research firm MultiMedia Intelligence.

"Ringback tones are quickly becoming the 'Golden Child' of the mobile music market, due to a winning combination of consumer popularity, and minimal impact from DRM or piracy," said Frank Dickson, chief research officer at MultiMedia Intelligence.

"The current leading mobile premium content category of realtones is already facing challenges. Consumers increasingly are able to create their own ringtones. The price disparity compared to a full track download is also a growing factor."

The report found that realtone, or master recording ringtones, are displacing polyphonic ringtones in all regional markets.

Retail mobile music is nearly a mature market in South Korea, but still expanding in Japan, whose market is expected to be over seven times larger than South Korea's by 2012.

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