Mobile VoIP solutions could benefit from extra broadband hotspots

Businesses that plan to invest in voice over internet protocol (VoIP) solutions for the mobile phones their staff use may be delighted to learn that a rise in broadband hotspots is being predicted.

ABI Research has suggested that a surge in the presence of mobile routers is likely in the future.

Indeed, it noted that some 7.1 million of the pieces of kit are estimated to have been sold in the US in 2011 so far, with an end-user revenue totalling $1 billion (£637 million) – a trend that could be repeated in the UK.

The body said that the huge growth in demand for internet services is putting providers under pressure to increase bandwidth and solutions available to users.

However, rather than continuing to extend capacity on a seemingly never-ending cycle, firms are now choosing to invest in technology such as mobile hotspot routers.

Each router is capable of providing a signal for several devices, which must be Wi-Fi enabled in order to work.

"The mobile hotspot router is the only standalone device capable of being distributed to the end customer that reduces the number of subscribers while growing average revenue per user," explained Jeff Orr, group director of mobile devices at ABI Research.

He admitted that there have been designs for such technology previously, most notably in 2009, but they did not come to be widely used due to complexities surrounding setup.

However, strong advances have been made by developers in the last two years and the routers can now adapt to varying levels of demand from mobile users.

It means those who wish to use mobile VoIP solutions could do so by connecting to the web via one of the new, ultra-reliable points, perhaps increasing the potential to make internet-based calls from remote locations.

One part of the world where mobile VoIP could be set for growth is Africa, with Frost & Sullivan recently predicting a rise in mobile, broadband and internet in the continent over the coming years.