“With the rapid increase in the number of mobile phone users and especially the growing popularity of smartphones, mobile VoIP is seen as a particularly attractive solution for service providers and end users alike. VoIP-enabled smartphones that can switch seamlessly between regular cellular networks and public or private Wi-Fi networks will be the next big thing in 2012. Smartphones are well suited to ensure uninterrupted coverage while keeping costs down. For mobile service providers, such services can lead to increased ARPU and prevent customer churn. As more and more enterprises enter the world of VoIP and UC mobile VoIP will become an attractive proposition simplifying communications for users on the go and helping to reduce corporate communications expenses.
VoIP gets a little Cloudy - Cloud-based services are becoming increasingly popular in all kinds of fields. Enterprise telecommunications is no exception. Cloud-based VoIP services offer IT managers flexible licensing plans, web-based management and high availability without the high associated equipment and staffing costs that an on-premises solution would require. In particular for small companies looking to make the move to VoIP and UC this could be a very attractive way forward.
Beyond Triple Play – the connected home is here. - The commoditisation of traditional triple-play services has seen broadband take-up saturate in most developed economies. The slow-down has resulted in a significant reduction of income for Service Providers. With new connections stalling, industry experts have called on Telcos to innovate and experiment with ‘compelling new services’ or risk being reduced to just controllers of ‘dumb pipes’. Can the industry reinvent itself and excite us once again? And critically, what are the options?
2012 will mark the arrival of the Connected Home. The next generation of residential broadband gateways will go beyond triple play support. These new devices will be modeled on providing an improved user experience with high definition voice and intuitive maintenance and support features. They will also enable the new lifestyle services such as home control and security.
We’ll all want to be using Unified Communications - UC systems are becoming more and more popular with enterprises of all sizes due to the productivity benefits and cost savings they offer. Companies looking at upgrading their communications systems in the coming year are very likely to look at UC solutions which can match traditional PBX systems for functionality and offer a lot more in terms of converged data and voice services.”