VoIP phones could see mobile networks turn to 4G

VoIP solutions may force mobile network operators to invest in 4G wireless technologies, which could in turn boost VoIP traffic.

Traditional mobile operators face being eliminated from the telecommunications market by the competition and pricing pressure that mobile IP telephony solutions have created, Juniper research has said.

Anthony Cox, senior analyst at the telecoms analyst firm, said: "VoIP is going to take some time to emerge, and by the time it does the industry will look very different indeed."

Mobile network operators' top priority now is avoid being used solely to ferry data between mobile users and third-party companies that may not even be part of the telecoms sector.

Mr Cox said that, while the emergence of smartphones and apps will make this "pretty hard to achieve", some operators are diversifying into high-definition voice delivery and digital music retail.

But investment in 4G-related technologies such as LTE is most likely to save operators, allowing them to provide an easy, economical and effective platform for new services, like VoIP phones.

IP telephony solutions will replace traditional mobile phone voice subscription plans when 4G wireless technologies are introduced, IT market research company Yankee Group said recently.