In 2015, voice over LTE will shake up the marketplace in a variety of ways. For example, some mobile operators will use VoLTE-powered unified communication to compete with over-the-top UC providers, particularly in the enterprise market, where customers will value – and pay for – the quality of service that mobile operators and VoLTE can provide.
Meanwhile, some OTT UC providers will partner with mobile operators to get access to the QoS controls that enable their services to stand out in the hyper-competitive UC market. Why would mobile operators be interested? One reason is because partnering with an OTT provider – particularly one that already has a strong brand and strong product – saves those operators the cost and lead time of developing their own UC portfolios.
The bottom line is that, starting in 2015, VoLTE will create new market dynamics. Together, operators and OTT providers will enable UC to finally live up to its potential by erasing the seams that annoy customers and giving mobile operators and OTT providers new options for delivering high-quality UC services.
Editor’s Note: With 2015 now upon us, RCR Wireless News has gathered predictions from leading industry analysts and executives on what they expect to see in the new year.
