Mobile operators to generate $20 billion from Internet voice as “carrier OTT” matures

HAMPSHIRE, UK: Mobile network operators will generate revenues of close to $20 billion by 2018 through strategies involving internet based voice or "carrier OTT", a new report from Juniper Research has found. These Internet voice revenues will be derived from new service propositions and bundles delivered through partnerships with stand-alone OTT (Over The Top) service providers.

The report - Future Voice Strategies: mVoIP, Carrier OTT and Mobile Video Calling 2014-2018 - found that while OTT service providers have been successful in creating impressive user bases of mVoIP customers, many future revenue generating strategies are likely to involve traditional carriers that have a billing relationship with the end-user and guaranteed QoS (Quality of Service).

According to report author, Anthony Cox: "OTT providers are turning to traditional carriers and vice versa. Together they are forming partnerships to create genuinely new service propositions, such as the ability to port a number across several devices."

The report also observes that stand-alone mobile VoIP players are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their service offerings and are developing more ways to monetise services. Meanwhile, VoLTE (Voice over LTE) will see widespread adoption among MNOs for the increased network efficiency it affords the operator, even though direct revenues will be low.