Digital Lifescapes

Most modern smartphones can connect to Wi-Fi routers for broadband internet access. Voice calls placed over that connection, via a software app that converts voice to data, can provide superior quality communication when compared with the cell provider's mobile network. There are now numerous ways to apply this capability, essentially bypassing the mobile network service provider's traditional offerings. As awareness of these use-cases increase, so does market adoption. Over the Top (OTT) voice app service providers are expected to see an increase in their revenues by 2020, reaching over $10 billion and representing a five-fold increase over the next 5 years, according to the latest global market study by Juniper Research . Moreover, their market study uncovered that OTT mobile software application providers -- such as Skype and WhatsApp -- would experience a significant rise in traffic and revenue potential as 4G network roll-outs accelerate, thereby increasing their cap...

Mobile voice calling, despite increased competition and the threat of new disruptive technologies, remains the most important revenue generator for the incumbent mobile network operators worldwide. However, network operator voice revenues face immense pressure and will continue to be eroded by competitors with lower-cost or free (ad-supported) service offerings. Mobile data traffic, though rising impressively in volume, is failing to make up the shortfall in revenues, potentially leading to a scenario where overall revenues remain in decline for mobile service providers. This, in a nutshell, describes the backdrop to today's mobile voice communications industry from the incumbent's perspective. Meanwhile, users of mobile video calling services -- such as Skype -- are forecast to increase to over 130 million users by 2018, according to the latest global market study by Juniper Research. However, questions remain over the upside potential for mobile video calling to gener...

The video communications market can be divided into three sub-markets depending on the consumer electronics (CE) device which is being used to make the call: PCs, Mobile, and living room (digital home) devices. That being said, the living room video calling is a nascent market and currently has a relatively small user base. According to the latest market study by NPD In-Stat , they now forecast that total users will increase from 1.5 million in 2011 to 16.4 million in 2015. Asia Pacific will be the largest market for living room video calling by a significant margin as this is the region with the highest video calling enabled device shipments. Video communications originated on the PC and these services are significantly more mature than on other device types -- Skype, Google Talk and G+ Hangouts are examples of the popular free consumer-oriented video chat services. While PC video calling solutions have been available for several years, these services continue to evolve in fun...

Video chat via the Internet is an interactive communication service that has become increasingly common with PC users, but is now expanding to other consumer electronics screens -- including various mobile devices and connected TV sets. Driven by the ease of use and improved video image quality, the growing consumer and business applications for video communication now seem unlimited. While many of the video chat software apps can crossover between screen-types, the dynamics in each market are quite unique. Still, all industry players are expected to experience significant growth. According to the latest market study by NPD In-Stat , they forecast the total number of active video calling users will surpass 380 million in 2015 -- that's a significant increase from the 63 million users in 2010. "While the mobile arena is relatively nascent, it has fueled much of the growth in usage over the course of 2011," said Amy Cravens, Senior Analyst at In-Stat. T...