14 DAY TRIAL // After a global Communications industry survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Oracle has recently released the results that revealed that over 80 percent of industry executives think voice calls will no longer represent the primary revenue source for carriers in about six years from now.
Also, just over half of senior executives believe that this will happen within the next four years, stating that communications carriers will need to immediately identify and develop new sources of revenue in order to avoid steep declines in their business.
Survey results also show that most executives see on-line VoIP services, like Skype, as being the biggest threat to the fixed line revenues.
In the meantime, Skype has already filed a petition with the FCC asking regulators to force carriers to loosen their control on what hardware or software can be connected to their networks. It is not really surprising that customers would prefer Skype's services, since they're much more affordable than what both mobile and fixed line operators are offering.
According to the executives, the main problem in developing new revenue streams would be operational cost efficiency. If carriers are to compete with smaller, highly mobile start-ups leveraging disruptive IP-based technologies and platforms, then it's necessary for them to provide greater functionality and more compelling user experiences like converged instant messaging or in-call-content sharing.
"The global communications industry is changing drastically and rapidly," said Denis McCauley, Director, Global Technology Research with the Economist Intelligence Unit. "Our survey results illustrate a sense of urgency for fixed-line and wireless service providers to deliver new services for their customers in order to remain competitive."