Analysts predict boom time for mobile VoIP

The greatest use of VoIP is expected to be on Wi-Fi networks

The number of people using mobile VoIP services is likely to reach 100 million in the next two years, according to new figures from Juniper Research.

The analyst firm said that over half of all mobile VoIP users are in North America and Europe, but that this could change as more workers appear in emerging markets.

Use of the technology will also increase as more traditional operators embrace less traditional providers, according to Juniper's Mobile Voice Strategies: mVoIP Opportunities & Business Models 2010-2015 report.

"By 2012 we expect significant uptake of mobile VoIP in its various flavours, " said Anthony Cox, a senior analyst at Juniper.

"By that date mobile VoIP will be available over 3G and Wi-Fi networks. We also anticipate that several more traditional operators will have joined 3UK and Verizon in the US and developed relationships with mobile VoIP players such as Skype."

Cox believes that revenues in the circuit-switched voice market will fall over the next five years, which will lead to a dramatic decline in revenue.

However, Juniper warned that the greatest use of VoIP will be within Wi-Fi networks which will "bypass operators altogether". Cox estimated that this traffic will lead to falls in operator revenues of $5bn (£3.4bn) by 2015.