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The widespread adoption of social networking services will enable mobile VoIP to become a major player in the telecom space within the next few years, according to a recent report by the market research firm In-Stat.

In fact, the researchers speculate that there will be more than 138 million active mobile VoIP users by 2014. The majority of this rise in usage is due to the fact that consumers no longer see mobile VoIP as just a cost-effective alternative for international calls. Today, users view mobile VoIP as an "integrated component of unified social networking services."

The research firm anticipates that mobile VoIP usage will continue to surge over the next decade as WiMAX (News - Alert) and LTE service offerings are rolled out. Mobile VoIP adoption rates will also be aided by the expected removal of certain barriers by mobile operators.

“Mobile VoIP is gaining real market presence with usage rates climbing rapidly,” said Amy Cravens, market analyst at In-Stat (News - Alert). “As it becomes further incorporated into other mobile apps, specifically social networking apps, the realm of potential use is expected to broaden."

"This has created a great deal of jockeying among mobile VoIP players trying to develop market share and mobile operators trying to determine the best response to this potentially disruptive service offering," she added.

As of today, T-Mobile (News - Alert) subscribers are the biggest supporters of mobile VoIP, with usage rates that are nearly twice as high as all other respondents.

In 2014, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) will be responsible for 39 percent of all mobile VoIP users. Asia and North American will account for nearly all the rest of mobile VoIP revenue, according to the report.

In related news, In-Stat speculates that nearly half of all U.S. handsets will be smartphones in 2012. The firm anticipates that global smartphone shipments will top 850 million by 2015.

Beecher Tuttle is a TMCnet contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Tammy Wolf