A new study from Juniper Research has found that Mobile VoIP services will develop significantly faster in developed markets due to the direct correlation between 3G roll outs and the take up of mobile VoIP. This is the case even though mVoIP traffic volumes may eventually be higher in developing markets due in part to the calling patterns of migrant workers, according to their report.

"By 2012 we expect significant uptake of mobile VoIP in its various different flavours", says Anthony Cox, Senior Analyst at Juniper Research. "By that date mobile VoIP will be available over both 3G and WiFi networks. We also anticipate that several more traditional operators will have joined 3UK and Verizon in the US and developed relationships with mobile VoIP players such as Skype," he says.

The study also suggested that alliances between mobile VoIP players and traditional operators may provide the best option for today's incumbent operators to address the advent of mobile VoIP.

Although revenues from the circuit switched voice market will continue to diminish over the next five years, this will not accelerate.

The report concluded that a high percentage of Mobile VoIP carried over applications will be via WiFi networks, bypassing operators' networks altogether. Such traffic will result in some lost revenues, amounting to around $5bn by 2015.