Mobile VoIP use boosts spending on network services?

People who make use of mobile VoIP services to save money on their calls may spend more of their cash on extra mobile services, it has been suggested.

Highlighted by Russell Shaw on his ZDNet blog, research by UK-based firm Analysys reportedly suggested that mobile VoIP users switch their saving towards spending on services like mobile ringtones, music, text messaging and video calls.

"Paradoxically, VoIP seems to have little impact on the migration of voice traffic to mobile networks and in fact appears to release consumer cash for additional spending on mobile services," reported a Telecoms.com piece, picked up on by Mr Shaw.

Adding his own comment on the information, Mr Shaw said: "Now that's some food for thought. Following this scenario, freeing up of cash due to VoIP's savings might mean more spending on mobile hardware - maybe more memory, better earbuds, etc?"

If found to be widespread, this trend may go at least some way to comfort mobile network operators who have bemoaned their low of income from phone calls as users switch to VoIP.