The number of mobile payment users around the world will exceed 141.1 million this year, a 38% increase from 2010, according to new research from Gartner. In addition, the total volume of worldwide mobile payments is forecast to exceed $86 billion, up more than 75% from last year's figure.

Despite these projected increases, Gartner doesn't think the mobile payment market is growing as quickly as expected.

Independent mobile advertising network InMobi has released its latest Mobile Insights Report.

As well as showing that the total number of mobile advertising impressions in Europe grew by 21% from Q1 to Q2 2011, it also revealed that the number of ads shown on Apple devices had overtaken ad impressions on Nokia devices.

This week's edition of The Fonecast starts with a look at the EC's plans for European roaming charges. We then talk about payments and patents, apps and advertising... before finishing with a story about a kettle that'll charge your phone.

As always, you can download this week’s show from iTunes or you can listen to the podcast by using the audio player on our website. There's an MP3 podcast RSS feed as well.

A new research report from Berg Insight says the number of smart electricity meters in Europe will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 19.4% for the next five years to reach 130.5 million in 2016. That means 52% of European houses will have smart meters.

By this time, over €3 billion per year is expected to be spent on smart metering technology.

Mark Bridge writes:

Roaming charges are back in the news this week. Not the latest round of price cuts (or, to be technically correct, lower price caps) but the European Commission's plans for the future. As well as continuing the downward pricing trend for a few more years, Neelie Kroes also wants wholesale interconnection at capped rates and the option of a separate 'roaming contract' when you travel abroad.