CommsMEA.com

He pointed to seismic changes in the sector which are converging to create potentially difficult times for operators that fail to adapt. Around the world, a surge in mobile data use from smartphones, laptops, and tablets is being driven by the growing popularity of over-the-top services just as YouTube and Skype, which are as well showing no sign of slowing.

One way that operators can try to address this challenge is through consolidation and various forms of collaboration, from network sharing to shared procurement deals.

But consolidation is not only taking place among operators. Last month saw Microsoft sign a deal to acquire VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) giant Skype for $8.5 billion. With Microsoft showing greater confidence in the mobile space since the launch of its Windows Phone 7 platform, the deal with Skype indicates that the use of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) on mobile handsets can only grow. It may not be a thought that telcos relish, nevertheless they will have little choice yet to continue to explore new models to keep up.