The total number of mobile VoIP users will reach 288 million by year-end 2013, forecasts analysts from market research firm In-Stat. More than half of them will connect via online mobile VoIP providers, less than 1/3 via 3G MVNOs or mobile operators, and 11% through WiMAX/LTE service providers.
In-Stat sees mobile VoIP applications generating $35.2 billion annually by 2013, according to In-Stat’s report, “Mobile VoIP–Transforming the Future of Wireless Voice.” Most of the action will take place in the Asia-Pacific region. The next three to four years will see Asia-Pacific regional mobile VoIP revenue overtake those in the EMEA.
Dual-mode handset sales will surpass 400 million units. “The near-term opportunity for mobile VoIP is closely linked with the growing success of dual-mode phones and other Wi-Fi connected devices. However, mobile VoIP still poses a direct threat to operator voice revenue and operators are navigating how to balance new opportunity with the threat,” says In-Stat analyst Frank Dickson.
