A number of IP-based voice apps are available on the market, allowing free or low-cost calls over a mobile data or Wi-Fi connection. Specific questions on the use of such apps were asked at the Telecompaper Consumer panel in January and February. It turned out that one-third of all Dutch smartphone users have a voice app installed on their phones.
Over the past year the number of calls made with voice apps has increased. Voice apps are generally used on a Wi-Fi connection, and Telecompaper expects that as the number of Wi-Fi hotspots increases, so will use of voice apps.
The panel also answered questions about four well-known voice apps: Facetime, Google Talk, Skype and Viber. Consumers were asked which of these apps they have installed, how much they use the apps and how they rate the quality of the apps.