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VoIP: Market Development Impacts on MNOs

VoIP may be the single biggest threat to traditional MNO revenues. The effects of competition and regulatory pressure on the prices that can be charged for mobile voice calls, roaming and termination are minor in comparison with the potential threat of mobile users completely bypassing their service provider's metered calls and associated billing systems by shifting their voice communications activities to IP-based services accessed through flat-rate data plans.

Reactions to the threat have varied widely, with many MNOs seeking to discourage the majority of their base from making use of VoIP facilities through specific exclusions in contract and fair use terms and conditions. Others have taken a more positive stance with regard to VoIP with 3 in the UK, in particular, going as far as promoting a relationship with customers where they need never pay for a call again.

The future viability of MNOs as they exist today depends to some extent on how successfully they are able to balance the need for income with the potential disruptive changes brought about by new communications models enabled by VoIP. This report examines the market development of VoIP, from a technological curiosity of interest to a small minority to a mainstream platform for Global communications and analyses how MNOs can best incorporate the emerging new reality into their business approach.

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1
Overview
1
2
Introduction
2
2.1
Background to the Report
2
2.2
Report Content
3
2.3
Currency and Conversions
3
3
The VoIP Market
4
3.1
Introduction & Definition
4
3.2
The Fixed Network VoIP Market
4
3.3
Mobile VoIP Market Development
7
4
Mobile VoIP Players
10
4.1
Introduction
10
4.2
Primary VoIP Providers
10
4.2.1
Skype
10
4.2.1.1
Business Background
10
4.2.1.2
Skype for iPhone & Windows Mobile
11
4.2.1.3
Skype Lite for Other Mobile Devices
13
4.2.1.4
Skype To Go
14
4.2.1.5
Skype on 3's UK Network
15
4.2.2
Google
17
4.2.2.1
Business Background
17
4.2.2.2
Google Talk
18
4.2.2.3
Google Voice
19
4.2.2.4
Gizmo5
20
4.2.3
Other Primary VoIP Providers
22
4.3
VoIP Consolidators
24
4.3.1
fring
24
4.3.1.1
Business Background
24
4.3.1.2
fring Mobile VoIP Proposition
25
4.3.2
Other VoIP Consolidators
27
5
MNO Reactions to VoIP
30
5.1
Introduction
30
5.2
VoIP Blocking to VoIP Priority
30
5.2.1
AT&T and the FCC
30
5.2.2
T-Mobile UK
31
5.2.3
Mobilkom Austria (A1)
32
5.2.4
Telefonica and JAJAH
33
5.2.5
3 UK, Windows Live Messenger and Skype
33
6
Conclusions & Recommendations
36
6.1
Conclusions
36
6.2
Recommendations
37