International Wholesale Voice Carrier Market - By Service (Voice Termination, Interconnect Billing, Fraud Management), By Transmission Network (Owned Network, Leased Network), By Technology, By Pricing Model & Forecast 2024 - 2032

International Wholesale Voice Carrier Market Size

International Wholesale Voice Carrier Market was valued at USD 39 billion in 2023 and is estimated to register a CAGR of over 13% between 2024 and 2032. The market growth is driven by advancements in voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology and the rising need for affordable international communication solutions.
 

The effectiveness and dependability of wholesale voice carrier services are further increased by the incorporation of modern technologies such as fraud detection, quality monitoring, and call routing optimization. In addition, the increasing uptake of high-speed internet connectivity and the deployment of cloud-based solutions support the wider uptake of these services across a range of industries, promoting market expansion. For instance, in January 2024, Minutes Network established a strategic partnership with Next Communications Inc., a wholesale voice communication aggregator based in the U.S. This partnership aims to enhance service offerings and expand market reach, reflecting an industry focus on consolidating resources for competitive advantage.
 

Voice carriers are essential to facilitating smooth communication. VoIP enables voice communication to go across data networks, which reduces costs and boosts productivity. Wholesale voice carriers use VoIP technology to provide their clients with scalable and adaptable voice termination services. The market has grown even more due to technological developments such as the implementation of cloud-based communication platforms and the construction of high-speed internet infrastructure. These advancements have increased the capability and reach of phone services, giving wholesale phone carriers the chance to serve a larger clientele.

Changes in termination rates and interconnect fees significantly impact profitability in the international wholesale voice carrier market. Termination rates, or the fees a network operator charges to connect a call to their network, can differ significantly between geographical areas and are subject to regular changes due to market shifts or changes in regulations. As a result, it is challenging for carriers to keep consistent profit margins and prices. Navigating various legislation in several nations also adds another level of complication. It includes difficulties in managing operations, guaranteeing legal compliance, and averting potential fines or operational delays as every country has its own set of telecom legislation, compliance requirements, and licensing procedures.
 

International Wholesale Voice Carrier Market Trends

The international wholesale voice carrier industry is evolving owing to the wide use of mobile devices and the emphasis on mobile platforms. The demand for effective and affordable voice communication solutions has grown as mobile usage soars worldwide. Carriers need to adjust to the increasing amount of traffic originating from mobile devices and make their networks mobile-friendly. This change also spurs innovation in mobile voice services including VoIP and Over-The-Top (OTT) applications, opening up new market prospects and putting pressure on competitors. For instance, in June 2021, AT&T announced its partnership with Microsoft's Azure to enable operators to optimize its 5G network, focusing on improving mobile voice and data services. This collaboration aimed to deliver seamless, high-quality mobile communication experiences, showcasing how carriers adapt to the increasing demand for mobile-centric communication solutions driven by the surge in mobile device usage.
 

The optimization of network performance, operational costs, and customer happiness in the market necessitates the seamless integration of sophisticated VoIP and Unified Communications (UC) technologies. Modern voice and data transmission technologies are incorporated into this system and are effortlessly linked into the carrier's main network architecture.
 

VoIP and UC systems are being incorporated with more modular and scalable designs in response to changing market demands. This allows carriers to configure systems with more flexibility to accommodate varying network sizes and traffic demands.

International Wholesale Voice Carrier Market Analysis

Based on transmission network, the market is divided into owned network and leased network. The owned network segment accounted for a market share of around 69% in 2023. Owned network providers can optimize performance, smoothly incorporate modern technology, and guarantee superior service quality by having more control over the network infrastructure. As owned networks do not require ongoing leasing, they are more financially advantageous in the long run and are, therefore, more attractive to large-scale enterprises. Additionally, owned networks offer greater dependability and security, which are essential for transporting sensitive data and voice traffic. In order to reduce the risk of data breaches, carriers can put strong security measures in place and enforce tight access limits.
 

Based on technology, the market is categorized into traditional switching and VoIP. In 2023, the traditional switching segment accounted for a market share of around 65% and is expected to exceed USD 74 billion by 2032. The traditional switching segment held the greatest market share owing to its well-established infrastructure, dependability, and broad use. As traditional circuit-switched networks have a track record of reliably providing high call volumes and quality, many carriers still rely on them. In addition, switching to VoIP necessitates a large investment in new infrastructure and technology, which some carriers are reluctant to make. VoIP is gaining popularity, but classical switching is still widely used, especially in areas with less developed telecommunication infrastructure or regulatory frameworks that support more established technologies.
 

Asia Pacific dominates the international wholesale voice carrier market with market share of over 24% in 2023. The regional population is enormous and expanding quickly, which has raised demand for voice communication services. Leading countries, such as China and India, have sizable subscriber bases that contribute to high traffic levels. Significant investments have also been made in the region's telecommunications infrastructure including the growth of 4G and 5G networks, which improve the reach and quality of voice services.
 

A competitive market environment with many carriers and service providers, which promotes innovation and low pricing, is another advantage for the region. Furthermore, the existence of significant technology centers in countries including Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and South Korea speeds up the development of communication technologies, further spurring the market. Asia Pacific's dominance in the global market is cemented by regulatory support and advantageous government policies in several nations that foster the development and expansion of wholesale voice services.
 

The market in Europe is distinguished by substantial expenditures in 5G technology, sophisticated infrastructure, and strict regulations. Robust voice traffic and innovation in voice communication services across various countries are supported by the region's robust and diverse telecom ecosystem, which is further enhanced by strong cross-border connectivity.
 

North America's market is driven by innovative technology, high smartphone adoption, and large number of telecom providers. Regional players concentrate on integrating cutting-edge communication technologies and improving mobile voice services to stay competitive in the global market.
 

International Wholesale Voice Carrier Market Share

International wholesale voice carrier industry is dominated AT&T, Inc. China telecom Corporation Sprint holding significant market share over 17%. These telecommunications giants have extensive global networks, robust infrastructure, and longstanding partnerships that enable them to facilitate seamless international voice traffic exchange.With their vast resources and economies of scale, these carriers can offer competitive rates and diverse routing options, making them attractive partners for operators and service providers worldwide. Their ability to leverage cutting-edge technologies, such as VoIP and advanced routing algorithms, further solidifies their position as industry leaders.
 

Moreover, these dominant players have established strong relationships with regulatory bodies and local carriers in various countries, granting them access to lucrative markets and enabling them to navigate complex regulatory landscapes. Their global footprint and strategic partnerships enable them to provide comprehensive voice termination solutions across multiple regions, catering to the diverse needs of their customers.
 

International Wholesale Voice Carrier Market Companies

Major players operating in the international wholesale voice carrier industry are:

• AT&T, Inc.
• BCE, Inc.
• BT Group Plc
• CenturyLink, Inc. (Lumen)
• China Telecommunications Corporation
• Orange SA
• Singapore Telecommunications Limited
• Sprint (T-Mobile)
• Tata Communications Ltd.
   

International Wholesale Voice Carrier Industry News

• In February 2024, 5g—KPN, the top telecom provider in the Netherlands, and iBASIS, a well-known global supplier of communications solutions for operators and digital players, extended their outsourcing contract for voice and mobile services for an extra three years
   
• In July 2022, Vonage, a cloud communications company, purchased Over.ai, an AI-based voice and message automation platform, to improve its programmable communication solutions
   

The international wholesale voice carrier market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) from 2021 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Service

• Voice termination
  • Pre-paid
  • Post-paid
• Interconnect billing
  • Pre-paid
  • Post-paid
• Fraud management
  • Pre-paid
  • Post-paid

Market, Transmission Network

• Owned network
• Leased network

Market, By Technology

• Traditional switching
• VoIP

Market, By Pricing Model

• Pre-paid
• Post-paid

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America 
• MEA
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rest of ME