VoIP services to squeeze fixed-line revenues

New online voice over IP (VoIP) services are the greatest threat to fixed-line revenues with 68 percent of respondents identifying VoIP operators as the primary cause of declining revenues, a new report by the Economist Intelligence Unit has revealed.

The report found that over 80 per cent of industry executives believe that voice calls will no longer make up the primary revenue source for communications carriers within six years and over half believe this will happen within the next four years.

Triple play services were also cited as an important way for carriers to maintain revenues with 65 per cent of respondents saying triple-play offerings will be important or critical.

"The global communications industry is changing drastically and rapidly," said Denis McCauley, director of global technology research with the Economist Intelligence Unit.

"Our survey results illustrate a sense of urgency for fixed-line and wireless service providers to deliver new services for their customers in order to remain competitive."

The Economist Intelligence Unit surveyed 115 telecommunications industry executives from 36 countries in three regions.