Abstract
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), once considered a challenging technology,
has been a part of China' s communications market for nine years. China' s
telecom market has relatively high long-distance calling rates, and so VoIP
has gained rapid recognition, with VoIP licenses being awarded to six
traditional carriers to provide IP card service. Furthermore, these service
providers have begun trials on broadband IP telephony services, which expand
IP transmissions from core networks to access networks. Another type of
broadband VoIP service is provided by virtual VoIP carriers, who deploy
softswitching systems on Internet and media gateways between the Internet and
PSTNs/PLMNs via cooperation with traditional service providers to guarantee
the interconnection of IP telephony and traditional fixed or mobile phones.
This In-Stat report checks the market status of three types of VoIP services:
IP card service, broadband IP telephony, and IM-based free VoIP service.
Drivers and barriers in China' s consumer VoIP market are analyzed to explain
the current status quo and to enable analysis of market opportunities and
forecasts of consumer VoIP subscriber numbers. In addition, consumer use of
softphones or corded/wireless IP phones, and forecasts for each type of
end-device, are included in the report.
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