Worldwide VoIP over Wi-Fi equipment revenues are expected to reach over $82 billion by 2012, according to a study by Juniper Research. The analysts expect to see North America leading the market at $35 billion in revenues, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) coming in at $23 billion, and Asia Pacific reaching $21 billion.

Further details from the report include:

• Dual Mode Mobile Handsets (Cellular/VoIP over Wi-Fi) will dominate this market generating almost $68bn in revenues by 2012 out of a total market of $82bn.
• Single Mode VoIP over Wi-Fi Handsets will continue to see a conservative uptake primarily due to high pricing – resulting in revenues of only $1.5bn by 2012.
• Enterprise Access Points (supporting VoIP) will generate over $5bn by 2012.
• Enterprise WLAN Switch/Mobility Controllers (supporting VoIP) to reach almost $8bn by 2012.

"The dual mode handset market will pick up much faster in the coming years than the single mode Wi-Fi handset sector," said Basharat Hamid Ashai, an analyst with Juniper Research. "The handset market is moving to a stage where no one wants to carry two or three devices in their pocket, so the ability to have a single device for all calls is a compelling proposition. Most single mode VoIP over Wi-Fi handset manufactures are actively either designing or planning to ship dual mode phones."

Juniper says another key trend will be the use of wireless mesh technologies for VoIP. Currently these networks are in their infancy and are being used primarily for data applications. However this market will be ripe for wireless VoIP during the coming years, and VoIP using Wireless Mesh will be a key move.

About the market research report

The Juniper Research report, "Converged Wireless VoIP Handsets & Equipment: Current Markets (2005-2006) & Forecasts (2007-2012)", is taken from forty interviews with vendors and providers across the sector and covers: Enterprise Access Points (supporting VoIP); Enterprise WLAN Switch/Mobility Controllers (supporting VoIP); Single Mode VoIP over Wi-Fi Handsets (Residential & Enterprise); Dual Mode Cellular/VoIP over Wi-Fi Handsets; Single Mode VoIP over Wi-Fi Handset Chipsets (Residential & Enterprise).

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