There’s no denying that mobile VoIP is a constantly growing entity in the wireless world as its popularity spreads all over the world. According to the latest data by Arbitron Inc., out of seven countries, Japan has emerged as the predominant users of VoIP applications on mobile devices.
Almost 70 percent of those in the survey out of Japan accessed VoIP apps during the month of January, spending six hours and 25 minutes on the voice and messaging apps, 64 percent of which were using LINE’s mobile VoIP offering. VoIP users in Japan accessed their VoIP apps an average of 222 times in the month, with Indonesia at a distant second with 65.9 sessions per month. 40.9 percent of Indonesians used VoIP apps on their mobile devices, with usage time at an average of 2 hours and 15 minutes a month. The United Kingdom follows Indonesia with 22.1 percent of users on VoIP at 35.1 sessions per month; the United States is hot on the UK’s heals with 16.5% of users on mobile VoIP and 35.6 sessions per month. Skype predominates in the U.S. and Europe, while LINE leads in Japan and Indonesia.
These numbers clearly affect carrier-based voice usage directly, as Japanese smartphone panelists, the heaviest users of mobile VoIP, spend the least amount of time — a total of 1 hour and 36 minutes per month with 57.8 sessions — on carrier-based conversations. The numbers for Indonesia reflect a similar trend, not surprising considering the fast adoption rate of low-cost VoIP services as opposed to higher-cost carrier rates (unless of course one chooses to go through global carriers rather than national carriers with expensive international plans).
This trend will not only continue, but is likely to accelerate over time, leading carriers with the options of either adapting by creating their own VoIP solutions or making deals with existing VoIP providers similar to the one made with Nimbuzz and other existing deals in order to keep their profits — and their business — safe.