5G Voice Users to Reach 2.5 Billion Globally by 2026 – Juniper Research

Voice-over-5G users are projected to reach 2.5 billion globally by 2026, growing from 290 million in 2022, according to Juniper Research. The research firm though has projected that voice revenue will decline at a rate of 16% over the next four years.

The 5G voice users will grow at 780% and this will be driven by increased 5G rollouts following a slow period during the pandemic.

Voice-over-5G leverages the software-based nature of 5G networks to offer Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for business voice services over operator networks.

The research firm recommends that operators should prioritize interactive calling, intelligent call routing, and the integration of AI-based IVR (Interactive Voice Services) as these provide the “most immediate return on investment” of Voice-over-5G.

In particular, the report found interactive calling as a key opportunity for operators who have launched 5G to provide more valuable voice services and compete with OTT voice apps.

Interactive calling leverages 5G networks to offer advanced voice calling functionality, including interactive content and screen sharing, directly in the native calling app on smartphones, which negates the need for third-party applications.

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By the end of January 2022, 72 countries had 5G networks in place, with the newest crop of 5G countries comprising Argentina, Bhutan, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Malta and Mauritius, which all came online in the second half of 2021, as per the report.

Juniper said lower speed of 4G networks in comparison to 5G networks has so far limited the use of interactive features or AI in operators’ voice services.

Despite the growth of Voice-over-5G, the report forecasts that operator-billed voice revenue will decline by 16% over the next four years, as P2P voice traffic migrates to third-party voice apps.

The report urges operators to capitalize on the growth of 5G to develop new business‑oriented voice services, such as interactive calling. “5G-based voice services must emulate operators’ current business messaging solutions by levying the cost on enterprises, rather than monetizing mobile subscriber usage.”