Mobile VoIP

The total number of mobile VoIP users will reach 288 million by the end of 2013, a new research report published by market research firm In-Stat says.

 

The new report, “Mobile VoIP - Transforming the Future of Wireless Voice,” also projects that by 2013, mobile VoIP applications will generate annual revenues of $35.2 billion.

 

In addition, more than half of the 288 million users will be associated with online mobile VoIP providers and under one-third will utilize mobile VoIP with 3G MVNOs or mobile operators, while 11 percent will utilize mobile VoIP with WiMAX (News - Alert)/LTE operators.

 

On a geographic basis, mobile VoIP will be biased towards the Asia Pacific region, particularly among online mobile VoIP services - with estimates that Asia Pacific will be the largest regional market in revenue terms by 2013.

 

Frank Dickson, analyst at In-Stat (News - Alert), said that the near-term opportunity for mobile VoIP is closely linked with the growing success of dual-mode phones and other Wi-Fi connected devices.

 

According to the report, dual-mode handsets - Wi-Fi + Cellular - will reach well over 400 million units shipped in 2013.

 

“However, mobile VoIP still poses a direct threat to operator voice revenue and operators are navigating how to balance new opportunity with the threat,” Dickson said.