Consumers are increasingly demanding high definition voice and video calling, over LTE or Wi-Fi, from operators, according to new research.
In a study of the US, UK, Japanese and Brazilian mobile markets, Alcatel-Lucent looked at potential sources of new revenue for operators.
It found more than half of consumers in the US and the UK said they would make more video calls during the next five years. In Brazil, this proportion increased to 80 percent.
More than 60 percent of smartphone users in the US, the UK and Brazil want to use video calls to speak with businesses.
In the US, more than 30 percent of consumers will make more or longer voice calls once VoLTE is widely available.
Wi-Fi calling, which is currently being implemented across Europe by the likes of EE, is a popular service for consumers. The report found between 78 percent and 98 percent of all respondents would take up the technology if offered.
British, American and Brazilian consumers said its best use would be for improving areas of poor coverage. In Japan, consumers said adoption would be fuelled by a need to reduce minutes in their voice plan.
Sue White, Head of Communications and Collaboration Marketing, IP Platforms, Alcatel-Lucent, said: “The news for CSPs is not all bad, especially if they’re willing to shift course and adapt to the smartphone way of doing things. They may be seeing declines in mobile ARPU, but there are ways they can respond to protect and grow their competitive positions.”