Mobile operators to embrace VoIP phones

Mobile network operators could compensate for falling voice revenues by forming partnerships with the VoIP provider community, Juniper Research has said.

Income from mobile data use has made up for the deficit in returns from voice calls so far, but that trend is not sustainable, according to the telecoms industry analyst.

"Maybe the best way to manage this process in the medium-term is to form alliances with a VoIP operator," according to Anthony Cox, senior analyst at Juniper Research.

By teaming up with a VoIP carrier, mobile networks could see data use and related revenues rise, as well as attract new customers due to the cost benefits of VoIP.

Fighting calls for net neutrality, competition, and the growth of internet-enabled handsets which could cut out traditional networks altogether is unsustainable for mobile operators in the long-term, Mr Cox added.

"Carriers will eventually accept the olive branch that mobile VoIP players have extended, and they may even become the mobile operator's best friends," he said.

Wireless is still mainly used for voice services, despite the emergence of data-focused devices like Apple's new iPad, communications and technology community TMCnet said recently.