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Mobile VoIP itself is poised to have 1B users by 2017, however, instant messaging apps are expected to hit the 2B mark by 2014. Based on these two forecasts, it’s safe to say that messaging is the driving force behind mobile VoIP, as the applications used within, are what’s going to bring more users to the technology.

Analysts from Ovum (News - Alert) took a look at social messaging and expect that, “mass adoption” will occur within the next year. Currently, there are 1B users in the social messaging landscape, and that only means mobile VoIP is right behind.

“There is an increasing shift to mobile devices on either side of the development process and there is no doubt that mobile-first services make fuller use of the advantages of mobile than services that are ported from the PC to mobile,” said Neha Dharia, analyst, Consumer Telecoms and author of the Ovum report.

Part of the reason we’re seeing this shift is the increase in mobile device use. With other options besides proprietary native messaging apps that can talk across multiple platforms, users are looking for more integrated, more robust messaging systems.

Mobile VoIP ties into the social messaging landscape because it’s a cheap way to reach someone while still using a handheld device. Whether it’s social messaging or a phone call, consumers and business folk are relying on their devices instead of a desk phone, so the more options available, the better.

Providers like REVE Systems offer applications that allow users to make VoIP calls right from their mobile devices. For service providers, an optimal feature is custom branding. With the REVE Systems solution, the Mobile Dialer can run using whatever branding you choose.

Currently, it supports Symbian, Windows Mobile, Blackberry, iPhone (News - Alert) and Android.

As mobile phone usage starts to take the place of its landline counterpart, consumers are in search of inexpensive ways to communicate with friends and relatives across the globe. With VoIP being the global phenomenon that it is, social messaging is the catapult that will bring the numbers to its mobile version.