THE TOTAL NUMBER of mobile VoIP users will reach 288 million by the end of 2013, according to research firm In-Stat.
Of these, well over half will be associated with online mobile VoIP providers, under one-third will utilize mobile VoIP with 3G MVNOs or mobile operators, and 11% with WiMAX/LTE operators. On a geographic basis, mobile VoIP will be heavily biased towards the Asia Pacific region, particularly among the online mobile VoIP services.
“The near-term opportunity for mobile VoIP is closely linked with the growing success of dual-mode phones and other Wi-Fi connected devices,” said Frank Dickson, In-Stat analyst, in a release. “However, mobile VoIP still poses a direct threat to operator voice revenue and operators are navigating how to balance new opportunity with the threat.”
In-Stat also found:
• By 2013 mobile VoIP applications will generate annual revenues of US$35.2 billion.
• While the EMEA region has more mobile VoIP related revenue currently, Asia Pacific will be the largest regional market in revenue terms by 2013.
• Dual-mode handsets (Wi-Fi + Cellular) will be well over 400 million units shipped in 2013.
