Video babysitter emerges as 3G killer app

Mobile providers in the US are seeing a higher than expected use of video content by children, according to a report by analyst firm IDC.

IDC noted that, although 3G phones and subscription plans are bought by adults, the gamble of producing childrens programming through the service seems to be paying off for Verizon, which offers one- to three-minute video clips of Sesame Street through its VCAST service. 

"I have offered my own VCAST phone to parents of young children at airports and on airplanes, with a near 100 per cent success rate at tears and tantrum avoidance," said Scott Ellison, programme director for wireless and mobile communications at IDC.

The success of Sesame Street points to a yet untapped market for 3G content aimed at children and their parents. For providers it offers additional revenue and can create additional content, the IDC researchers said.

VCAST offers data connections of up to 2 Mbps. Users get access to online games and video clips with news, financial information and entertainment on their mobile phones.

Verizon charges $15 a month for the video service. Users purchase games for a one time fee or can rent them per month.