International Wholesale Voice Carriers

Global International Wholesale Voice Carriers Market to Reach US$164.8 Billion by 2030

The global market for International Wholesale Voice Carriers estimated at US$85.5 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$164.8 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.6% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Traditional switching, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 10.0% CAGR and reach US$98.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the VoIP segment is estimated at 14.3% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$23.3 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 15.4% CAGR

The International Wholesale Voice Carriers market in the U.S. is estimated at US$23.3 Billion in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$33.8 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 15.4% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% and 10.1% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 9.1% CAGR.

Global International Wholesale Voice Carrier Market – Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Navigating the International Wholesale Voice Carrier Market: Trends, Innovations, and Growth Factors

The international wholesale voice carrier market is a crucial component of global telecommunications, enabling seamless voice connectivity between different regions and networks. Wholesale voice carriers serve as intermediaries that route voice traffic between telecom operators, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality voice transmission across international borders. With the increasing adoption of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and the continuous shift from traditional PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) to IP-based communication, the wholesale voice carrier industry has undergone significant transformations.

Market dynamics are being shaped by several key trends, including the increasing use of AI-driven voice traffic management, the integration of blockchain for fraud prevention, and the rising demand for high-quality, low-latency voice communication. Additionally, the market is seeing a consolidation of players, with larger wholesale carriers acquiring smaller providers to expand their global footprint and improve routing efficiency. While legacy voice traffic has been gradually declining, the demand for international wholesale voice services remains steady due to enterprise VoIP adoption, growing mobile penetration in emerging markets, and the continued need for voice interconnectivity in global business communication.

How Are Technology Advancements Reshaping the Wholesale Voice Carrier Industry?

The role of technology in the international wholesale voice carrier market has been transformative, with innovations reshaping how voice traffic is managed, secured, and optimized. One of the most significant advancements has been the shift to VoIP and cloud-based voice routing, which allows carriers to reduce operational costs while ensuring high-quality voice transmission. VoIP-based wholesale carriers can offer flexible and scalable voice solutions, catering to the needs of enterprises, mobile network operators (MNOs), and communication service providers (CSPs).

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have also become integral to traffic management and fraud detection in the wholesale voice market. AI-powered routing algorithms help optimize call paths, ensuring the best voice quality and lowest possible termination costs. Meanwhile, AI-driven analytics can detect fraudulent activities such as call pumping, CLI (Calling Line Identification) spoofing, and SIM box fraud, protecting both carriers and end-users from revenue leakage and security threats.

Blockchain technology is another emerging disruptor in the wholesale voice carrier space. By decentralizing transaction records and call data exchanges, blockchain ensures greater transparency, security, and fraud prevention. Smart contracts enable automated settlement between carriers, reducing disputes and streamlining the financial reconciliation process. Additionally, advancements in STIR/SHAKEN (Secure Telephony Identity Revisited/Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information Using toKENs) protocols are helping mitigate robocalls and improve call authentication, enhancing trust in international voice traffic.

What Challenges Are Impacting the International Wholesale Voice Carrier Market?

Despite technological progress, the international wholesale voice carrier market faces multiple challenges that impact service providers’ revenue streams and operational efficiencies. One of the most pressing challenges is the decline of traditional voice traffic. With the widespread adoption of OTT (Over-the-Top) communication apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, a significant portion of voice communication has shifted away from traditional telephony services. This has led to decreased wholesale voice volumes and increased price competition among carriers.

Fraud and security threats remain persistent concerns in the industry. Wholesale voice carriers frequently encounter telecom fraud schemes, including international revenue share fraud (IRSF), artificial inflation of traffic (AIT), and robocalling. These fraudulent activities not only result in revenue losses but also damage brand reputation and customer trust. To combat these challenges, carriers must continually invest in fraud prevention tools, real-time monitoring systems, and AI-powered detection mechanisms.

Regulatory complexities also present a significant hurdle for international wholesale voice carriers. Varying telecom regulations across countries, compliance requirements related to call termination, and evolving data protection laws make it difficult for carriers to maintain seamless operations across multiple jurisdictions. Additionally, increased scrutiny from regulators regarding call authentication and anti-fraud measures has compelled operators to adopt more stringent compliance frameworks, further increasing operational costs.

What Factors Are Driving the Growth of the International Wholesale Voice Carrier Market?

The growth in the international wholesale voice carrier market is driven by several factors, including the rise of enterprise VoIP adoption, increased mobile penetration in developing markets, and the expansion of next-generation voice technologies. One of the key drivers is the growing demand for high-quality voice interconnectivity in global business communications. Enterprises rely on wholesale voice carriers to ensure reliable voice termination for international calls, particularly in industries such as finance, healthcare, and customer service, where secure and high-quality voice communication is critical.

Another significant driver is the ongoing expansion of mobile networks, particularly in emerging economies. As mobile penetration continues to rise in regions such as Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, the need for wholesale voice interconnectivity between mobile network operators (MNOs) has increased. Carriers that offer competitive termination rates and high-quality routing solutions are well-positioned to capture growth opportunities in these markets.

The deployment of 5G networks and next-generation voice technologies is also fueling market growth. While data-centric communication is at the forefront of 5G deployment, voice services remain an essential component of telecom networks. Wholesale voice carriers are evolving to support Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and Voice over 5G (Vo5G), ensuring seamless voice transitions across different network generations. Additionally, advancements in cloud-based voice infrastructure, AI-powered call optimization, and fraud prevention technologies are making wholesale voice services more efficient and secure.

The increasing demand for high-definition (HD) voice and real-time communication solutions is another key growth driver. Businesses and telecom providers are prioritizing HD voice quality for improved customer experiences, leading to greater investment in advanced routing technologies and infrastructure upgrades. Moreover, the need for compliance with international telecom regulations, including STIR/SHAKEN protocols for call authentication, has encouraged the adoption of next-gen solutions that enhance security and transparency in wholesale voice transactions.

With the continued evolution of telecom networks, increased regulatory scrutiny, and the integration of AI, blockchain, and cloud-based solutions, the international wholesale voice carrier market is poised for sustained growth. Market players that adapt to technological advancements, optimize their routing strategies, and invest in fraud prevention will be well-positioned to thrive in this evolving landscape.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the International Wholesale Voice Carriers market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Technology (Traditional switching, VoIP); Pricing Model (Pre-paid, Post-paid)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 43 Featured) -

• AT&T Inc.
• BCE Inc.
• BICS
• BT Group plc
• CenturyLink (Lumen Technologies)
• China Mobile International Limited
• China Telecommunications Corporation
• Colt Technology Services
• Deutsche Telekom AG
• IDT Corporation
• KDDI Corporation
• Lumen Technologies (CenturyLink)
• NTT Communications
• Orange S.A.
• PCCW Global
• Singtel (Singapore Telecommunications)
• SoftBank Group
• Sprint Corporation (T-Mobile USA)
• Tata Communications Ltd.
• Telefónica S.A.

TARIFF IMPACT FACTOR

Our new release incorporates impact of tariffs on geographical markets as we predict a shift in competitiveness of companies based on HQ country, manufacturing base, exports and imports (finished goods and OEM). This intricate and multifaceted market reality will impact competitors by artificially increasing the COGS, reducing profitability, reconfiguring supply chains, amongst other micro and macro market dynamics.

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APRIL 2025: NEGOTIATION PHASE

Our April release addresses the impact of tariffs on the overall global market and presents market adjustments by geography. Our trajectories are based on historic data and evolving market impacting factors.

JULY 2025 FINAL TARIFF RESET

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