Mobile communities have emerged as a popular, though still unproven strategy for wireless carriers to drive data usage, according to a new JupiterResearch report, "Mobile Communities: Finding Opportunities Beyond a Mobile MySpace." Near-term revenue will result from increased usage of data services, whereas ad-based models offer longer-term potential, according to the report.

"Wireless carriers that have not launched a marketing campaign or service tied to MySpace in an attempt to generate marketing buzz, acquire young customers, or drive data usage, are in the minority among wireless carriers today," said Julie Ask, JupiterResearch research director and author of the report. "Shifting familiar online experiences to the cell phone and enhancing them with location, messaging, personalization, and presence has emerged as a popular though unproven strategy for wireless carriers to drive data usage."

Consumers experience communities on their computers for free and expect the same on their cell phones. Therefore, a focus on consumer experience, not revenue, will assist adoption of mobile community services in the near term, according to Jupiter.