The key to VoIP success in the mass consumer market will be the availability of cellular/WiFi IP phones, concludes a recent In-Stat study. The widespread adoption of VoIP in both business and consumer markets will depend on whether wireless VoIP handsets are available. Dual-mode cellular/WiFi handsets will be the key driver to mass consumer adoption of VoIP, and control of these end-point devices is key to capturing the mobile market. "Wireless high-speed broadband access, unified messaging, video, and dual-network cellular/WiFi services are making the mobile triple play a consumer market reality," said In-Stat's Keith Nissen. "The key to successfully capturing the market for these next-generation personalized services is control of the end-point device."

In-Stat predicts that more than 66 million cellular/WiFi handsets will be in operation by 2009. The reports also finds that:

• Worldwide, consumer VoIP subscribers using wireless IP phones will grow from the current 2 percent to 73 percent in 2009;
• Owing to the push by mobile carriers without wireline operations, Europe will initially be the largest market for dual-mode smartphones;
• Mass production of dual-mode sets is not scheduled until 2007, but more than 80 percent of businesses have an interest in the technology.

For more on the "Wireless IP Phones Drive Future VoIP Markets" study:
- see In-Stat's press release

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