Skype Contributing to Global Voice Traffic Slowdown?
Source: www.voip-news.com
Certainly seems that way based on recent research from the team at TeleGeography, despite recent good news that Skype led the pack by 95%. TeleGeography’sr notes indicate that despite crazy growth over the past ten years, international voice traffic only grew 10% last year, and has no signs of improving for this year. As they tell it, “Skype and other computer-based voice services are a key reason for the slowdown. According to TeleGeography estimates, Skype generated approximately 14 billion minutes of international traffic in 2006. “Skype only accounts for a small share of international calls. But they’re generating enough volume to have a clear impact on the growth rate of traditional calls,” said TeleGeography analyst Stephan Beckert.”
“This trend presents a challenge to international carriers. With average international calling prices 70 percent lower than they were 10 years ago, scale has become an ever more important consideration. “Carriers depend on rapid traffic growth to offset falling prices. Slower volume growth hurt carriers’ revenues, and will almost certainly force further consolidation in the international long distance market,” continued Beckert.”
