Another point of view on why mobile operators should embrace Skype and similar solutions. Worth reading the whole piece.

“VoIP is a huge threat, but it’s one that’s coming from outside of the constraints of the mobile environment,” said Mike Mulica, president and CEO of BridgePort Networks during a panel session discussing the ramifications of VoIP on the mobile sector at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes on Thursday. “Skype and these converged voice/data models are providing a low-cost alternative to voice substitution for in-building minutes of use that allows you to go to a low-cost model.”

“It’s only a threat if you don’t follow the customer,” he said. “The ability to integrate these services, fixed, wireless, broadband, home networks over WLAN, that’s an opportunity for the customer. Will it provide value for the industry? That’s a good question. Probably not. But it’s a fact that IP will open the value chain and the margins will come down. Ignore it, and you will move behind the market.” Telecom Asia