The Future of Voice: A View From the Past Prof Glenn Woroch CRTP @ UC-Berkeley ITU Workshop 15-16 January 2007
Ebb & Tide of Voice & Data Data was first (telegraph) Voice came second (telephone) Data had a spectacular rebirth (Internet) Voice got a second wind (mobile) They now begin to work together (convergence)
Mobile Voice & Data ARPU 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
FRA
GER
ITA
JPN
ESP
Voice ARPU
NED
SWE
Data ARPU
IRE
UK
Mobile Data Growth Percent of Total Telecoms Revenue 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%
FRA
GER
ITA
JPN
2001
ESP
2005
NED
SWE
IRE
UK
Competitors or Complementors?
Data often displaces voice Email,
chat for fixed calls SMS for mobile calls
Voice can complement data, and vice versa Telemedicine,
distance learning Customer service
Why Should We Care? Affects the pace and direction of innovation in communications services. Could open new or underserved markets, especially in less developed economies. Could help close the digital divide. Should impact regulatory policy.