Mobile Operators Giving Up Voice?

We were interested to read Scandinavian Analyst Company, Northstream, had to say about the future of voice for traditional Mobile Network Operators.

I’m sure you’ve all heard, or read, of the coming 4G networks, the next generation of data connectivity from mobile devices. Northstream has tested the world’s first true 4G network offering from TeliaSonera and not found it wanting.

For customers in Stockholm, Sweden, TeliaSonera provide access to the kind of high-speed network that puts your fixed broadband to shame, for the kind of price that your Mobile Operator sells a few hundred minutes of national calls.

Why is this important?

As Northstream has it, this is put up or shut up time for the Mobile Network Operators. The technology used in TeliaSonera’s 4G network is known as Long Term Evolution (LTE), a perfect bearer for standard SIP VoIP; as of yet, the Operator’s own plans for Voice Over LTE have yet to reach consensus on standard or implementation. As Northstream state:

“..operators do not possess the working culture and skills required to be service innovators or even full-service providers of digital services and content: The level and speed of innovation originating from online service providers is too massive for operators to offer serious competition on the service level, even in markets where operators continue to dominate mobile service delivery.”

There we have it, in short the Mobile Network really is a bitpipe. We’re not ones to crow, but we could point out that we told you so back in 2006. This is the most exciting time to be offering alternative voice and messaging services, not only is the hype-cycle climbing the curve of mass adoption, the technology is also shifting in our favour.