Mobile VoIP users to surpass 100 million by 2012

telecompaper [ ] 2010-05-27

Mobile VoIP users to surpass 100 million by 2012

Mobile VoIP services will develop significantly faster in developed markets due to the direct correlation between 3G roll outs and the take up of mobile VoIP, according to a study by Juniper Research. This is the case even though mVoIP traffic volumes may eventually be higher in developing markets due in part to the calling patterns of migrant workers. Mobile VoIP users will exceed 100 million by 2012 and over half of mobile VoIP users will reside in North America and Europe. Juniper Research senior analyst Anthony Cox said that by 2012 mobile VoIP will be available over both 3G and Wi-Fi networks. It is anticipated that several more traditional operators will have joined 3UK and Verizon in the US and developed relationships with mobile VoIP players such as Skype, he said. The study found that alliances between mobile VoIP players and traditional operators may provide the best option for today's incumbent operators to address the advent of mobile VoIP. Revenues from the circuit switched voice market will continue to diminish over the next five years, although this will not accelerate. A high percentage of mobile VoIP carried over applications will be via Wi-Fi networks, bypassing operators' networks altogether. Such traffic will result in some lost revenues, amounting to around USD 5 billion by 2015.