Mobile operators get VoIP boost from Tata

• Tata Communications launches mobile VoIP platform to bolster converged communications
• Hosted, white label solution creates new mobile revenue opportunities from user communities

TATA Communications has announced the launch of its mobile VoIP (Voice-over-Internet Protocol) platform, a hosted, white label solution that it claimed allows mobile network operators (MNOs) and other retail voice providers to deliver and monetise innovative converged IP communication services.
 
The mobile VoIP platform offers a rich feature set that enables operators to quickly roll out packages that create competitive differentiation among user communities such as roamers, migrants and digital natives exploiting Internet reach, the company said in a statement.
 
Tata Communications said its mobile VoIP platform gives MNOs the ability to offer customers a simple, converged communication service across voice, chat, video and file sharing, enhancing the customer relationship value chain and thereby improving customer loyalty and average revenue per user (ARPU).
 
It leverages the strong brand value and existing customer billing relationships mobile operators and other retail service providers have, increasing the revenue potential of converged communication offerings, the company added.
 
The mobile VoIP platform enables operators to launch their own branded mobile VoIP app and make it available on all the major smartphone and desktop platforms. The app will be directly integrated into the existing user management, billing and reporting platforms through a web API (application programming interface).
 
Mobile operators remain in control of the customer relationship, and can also extend the service reach by making it possible for customers to use mobile VoIP minutes for calls from laptops or tablets.
 
“Mobile operators are looking for ways to evolve their services portfolio to better meet the needs of their end-users,” said Christian Michaud, senior vice president of Product and Business Strategy, Global Voice Solutions, Tata Communications.
 
“Our mobile VoIP offerings allow operators to gain additional revenue from today’s ‘always connected’ users, and create new market segments without the significant upfront capital investment and lead time required for true native rich communication services,” he claimed.
 
According to research firm Juniper Research, by 2017 there will be more than one billion people using mobile VoIP through smartphone apps.
 
Over-the-top or OTT services are becoming increasingly popular with the growing adoption of smartphones and tablets. End-users today have many choices for voice communications and are looking for the ability to have rich conversations with their contacts across numerous devices and multiple screens.
 
Mobile network operators are constantly looking to introduce innovative offerings that will cater to this demand, Tata Communications said.
 
According to Anthony Cox, associate analyst at Juniper Research, operators need to get over their traditional reluctance toward mobile VoIP and consider instead what it can do for them.
 
“Mobile VoIP can be used by MNOs or indeed fixed-line or cable players to address specific target markets or develop new service bundles such as video conferencing.
 
“Such services may be difficult or even impossible to deliver through traditional carriage methods,” he added, noting that Tata Communications’ white-label mobile VoIP service allows other operators to build an OTT service that suits their specific circumstances.
 
Tata Communications’ mobile VoIP platform is part of its Voice Business Apps suite, and aligns to the company’s existing strategy of providing industry-leading hosted and managed services for service provider customers.
 
The mobile VoIP platform is built to address mobile operators’ need to increase revenue and monetise mobile innovation, the company said.
 
Consumers using the app will instantly see who’s available to chat, message, talk or video call. All address book contacts will be automatically visible, and popular social networking contacts can be easily synced.
 
Enhanced features include instant video conferencing, follow-me, private numbers, voicemail, identity numbers and local numbers in geographies where permissible. A full suite of IP-PBX features also opens opportunities for retail service providers in the SMB/SME (small and medium business/ enterprise) space.
 
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