Mobile providers are making a lot of their profits today from data plans. With the proliferation of web enabled smartphones and basic phones, the growth in mobile data usage is exponential for many providers. Along with the growth in mobile data usage comes an increase in mobile advertising.

Research Firm Parks Associates reports that the mobile advertising market in 2009 will be worth about $208 million and will grow to $1.5 billion by 2013. The growth in revenue will be spurred by the increasing adoption of mobile data plans, the purchase of applications for smartphones and more.

In 2008, there were 62 million new smartphone users in North America and that number is expected to grow to 239 million in 2013 with 3G network data plans predicted to reach 95% penetration by 2013 in America.

“Mobile advertising is poised to take advantage of opportunities presented by the diffusion of 3G networks and devices such as the smartphone,” said Heather Way, research analyst, Parks Associates. “Advertisers will begin to incorporate mobile into their media campaigns as this medium matures into a viable marketing space.”

[via Park Associates]