Now, nearly five years since mobile VoIP services were first introduced, it is on the cusp of moving beyond just an inexpensive alternative for making international calls to becoming an integrated component of unified social networking services, says In-Stat. The next several years are expected to be transformational as mobile operators and other associated players figure out how to respond to a forecast of nearly 139 million mobile VoIP users by 2014.

"Mobile VoIP is gaining real market presence with usage rates climbing rapidly," says Amy Cravens, Market Analyst. "As it becomes further incorporated into other mobile apps, specifically social networking apps, the realm of potential use is expected to broaden. This has created a great deal of jockeying among mobile VoIP players trying to develop market share and mobile operators trying to determine the best response to this potentially disruptive service offering."

Some of the research findings include:

• Mobile operators will gradually remove barriers to mobile VoIP usage, however, will remain guarded in how these services are introduced.
• In-Stat's consumer survey showed that T-Mobile subscribers had the greatest incidence of mobile VoIP usage; nearly twice that of total respondents.
• Total 2014 revenues will be split between the EMEA (39%), Asia/Pacific (32%), North America (21%), and the rest of the world (8%).
• Because mobile VoIP is portable, users can bring the benefits of VoIP with them when traveling abroad and avoid the expensive roaming fees that mobile operators charge.

Recent In-Stat research Mobile VoIP: Social Networking Integrates IP Voice explores the emerging market for mobile VoIP offerings, covering:

• Forecasts of worldwide mobile VoIP subscribers, usage, and revenues segmented by region and associated provider (independent, 3G, WiMAX/LTE).
• Discussion of the broad spectrum of mobile VoIP industry participants including start-ups, online VoIP providers, mobile virtual network operators and mobile virtual network enablers, and the mobile carriers themselves.
• The breadth of mobile VoIP solutions and analysis of key providers, including Google, Skype, T-Mobile, Telefonica, Verizon Wireless, and Vonage.
• Elements impeding and promoting the adoption of mobile VoIP.
• Discussion of underlying markets including smartphone adoption and 3G/4G services.