The wireless industry, although not new, is still an emerging market, and its professional services segment will experience dramatic growth in the next few years, a US market researcher said on Tuesday.

According to International Data Corporation (IDC), worldwide mobile and wireless professional services spending grew to approximately 3 billion US dollars in 2001, up 138 percent over the previous year. This market is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 58.5 percent to reach about 30 billion dollars in 2006.

IDC defines mobile and wireless professional services as the consulting, implementation, operations, support and training services activities performed when extending mobile or wireless access to enterprise applications on new or existing infrastructure. The research firm ranked IBM Global Services as the world's NO.1 provider of mobile and wireless professional services.

From a regional perspective, IDC's research shows that Western and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa represent the lion's share of the forecast. The Nordic region has been a major innovator and early adopter of wireless technology, and many carriers depend on the advice of professional services firms to launch successful operations.

North and Latin Americas are the fastest-growing region and expected to spend 13.3 billion dollars in 2006 in mobile and wireless professional services, according to IDC. Asia-Pacific isnot far behind in terms of spending. Japan is the largest spender in the region, followed by Australia.