Mobile networks 'must deliver VoIP'

Mobile network providers could get squeezed out of the telecommunications marketplace if they do not embrace VoIP, it has been suggested.

Steven Hartley, principal analyst at business and technology analysis firm Ovum, said the threat is not immediate because the technology is yet to dominate.

However, as LTE [long term evolution] technology evolves - meaning all calls are made via IT telephony - it will become more important, he stated.

Because of this, Mr Hartley continued: "There's clearly a risk that [mobile network operators] get cut out of the process of delivering voice services."

He went on to say that mobile VoIP has markedly increased in quality and is now "almost on a par with fixed".

However, it is still not delivering consistent customer experience so the mobile network operators still have a crucial role.

This comes after research firm In-Stat released figures which estimated there could be 139 million mobile VoIP users by 2014.