Mobile VoIP could significantly impact the industry

The use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services on mobile phones could have a major impact on the industry, a leading expert claims.

According to Mobile-Phones.co.uk, the growing popularity among consumers for VoIP calls over mobile networks could negatively affect the profit margins of operators.

Thomas Newton, lead contributor for the independent mobile phone comparison website, commented: "There really isn't any way they can adapt to survive it, as it undermines the real bread and butter of the networks - the money they make from traditional cellular voice calls."

In response to this trend, mobile operators such as T-Mobile and Vodafone have already made attempts to block access to VoIP due to fears that it will impact on traditional voice revenues.

However, the European Union (EU) has since hinted that it will act to ensure service providers allow consumers to make VoIP calls on their mobiles.

EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding told German newspaper Handelsbatt that "action" could also be taken to ensure mobile operators do not block these "innovative services".