Recent advancements in smartphone technology and the near-ubiquitous nature of high-speed networks have led to the emergence of mobile VoIP (mVoIP) solutions, which allow users to leverage Wi-Fi and other data networks to make free or low-cost VoIP calls using their mobile phone.
mVoIP is particularly popular overseas, where travelers can incur highly expensive roaming charges if they place calls through their traditional carrier. Although mVoIP solutions have been around for some time, mobile operators have recently begun to embrace the technology, using it as a tool to compete with VoIP service providers and their terms.
With mVoIP expected to be a hot topic at ITEXPO East 2012, set to kick off in Miami on January 31, TMC (News - Alert) CEO Rich Tehrani reached out to Challenger Mobile CEO Håkan Tezcanli to get his thoughts on the market and where it is headed. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Challenger Mobile provides white label mVoIP solutions to operators and other communication services providers.
Tezcanli says that mVoIP can provide operators with a unique value-add service that can help improve customer loyalty and reduce churn – two of the biggest challenges facing today's communication service providers. Tehrani and Tezcanli also touched on a number of other topics in the IT space, including the future of Microsoft (News 
- Alert) in the mobile OS market and the importance of developing a strong social media presence.
Check out the complete interview below or head to booth 642 at ITEXPO (News - Alert) East 2012 to meet with the entire Challenger Mobile team.
What has been the biggest trend in your market segment and how is it impacting your customers?
The fact that mVoIP is being embraced by mobile operators as well.
What is the biggest challenge facing your customers today and how is your company helping address that challenge?
Customer loyalty and churn are two major concerns facing today's service providers. By offering mVoIP as Value Add, carriers can address these challenges.
How has Cloud impacted your business? How has it impacted your customers?
The cloud is how we operate, all the way from provisioning to running the mVoIP service globally. It's inherent in our modus operandi.
Will Cloud-based communications expedite the end of the premises-based PBX (News - Alert) market?
For sure. It’s already pushing back premise-based PBXs, especially for social networks and fast moving online businesses.
What approach has your business taken to social media? If you have implemented a social media program, have you been able to evaluate your program’s success?
It’s a main channel for marketing mVoIP and such to potential users. Our service specifically is offered to service providers and therefore it’s a typical B2B sales effort.
Does every business need a social media presence? Why or why not?
If they want to be visible, yes.
With Microsoft touting tight integration between its mobile and desktop OS, can it become a major competitor in the enterprise mobile market?
Yes, but Apple (News - Alert) and Google are both becoming mainstream just like Microsoft is/was and it’s a race head on.
What can attendees expect from your company at ITEXPO?
Meeting believers of mVoIP who have gotten mobile operators to see a value in it.
Make one technology prediction for 2012 and consider its impact.
In App payments/fund transfers that will erode the need of banks as we know it. The whole unbanked population of the world will be empowered.
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 Jennifer Russell
