The mobile adult content market is predicted to double in value over the next five years.

A study conducted by Juniper Research estimates that the market for pornographic content on mobile devices will increase from current levels of $1.4bn a year to over £3.3bn by 2011.

The most lucrative regional market over the next five years is expected to be Europe, with Asia Pacific running a close second.

Over the whole 2006 to 2011 period Juniper estimates that mobile adult entertainment services will generate an impressive $14.5bn in revenues, with Europe contributing 39 per cent and Asia Pacific 33 per cent.

The introduction of 3G mobile networks and handsets with enhanced video and graphics capabilities has contributed to the growth of mobile content aimed at adults.

Early market development was focused on text-based services, but these are rapidly being displaced by products and services incorporating high quality graphics and video content, according to Juniper.

By 2011 video-based services will account for over 70 per cent of mobile adult content market revenues.

"Adult content business models have succeeded in other major delivery media: print, cinema, DVD, PPV TV etc," said Bruce Gibson, research director at Juniper Research.

"There is no reason why the mobile channel should not be equally profitable for adult content industry players.

He added: "Mobile is about fun and instant gratification. I think the biggest opportunity is at the casual and 'softer' end of the adult market – lads in pubs sharing a video clip after a few pints and people looking for a bit of fun when they have spare time to kill etc – not the hard core stuff."