From “nearly all” international traffic riding on IP in 2019 to the explosive growth of broadband, mobile connectivity, and VoIP minutes, this post breaks down how international voice traffic is being reshaped by the world’s changing data and connectivity landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Global international internet traffic (IP) in 2019 was 90%+ of total international traffic, reaching 90.1% in 2019 (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)
- In 2019, international telecom service traffic (IP) accounted for 89.9% of total international telecom traffic (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)
- In 2018, international telecom service traffic (IP) accounted for 88.4% of total international telecom traffic (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)
- Global fixed broadband subscriptions grew from 150 million in 2012 to 728 million in 2023 (ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database summary in ITU Facts and Figures)
- Global mobile-cellular subscriptions reached 5.5 billion in 2023 (ITU ICT Facts and Figures 2024)
- Global international mobile roaming subscriptions in 2023: 7.1 billion? (ITU data)
- Global VoIP traffic is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2023 to 2029 reaching 166 billion minutes by 2029 (IMARC Group)
- VoIP service market size expected to reach $?? by 2029; not a voice traffic statistic (IMARC)
- Hosted VoIP market expected CAGR 10.7% 2023-2029 (IMARC)
- International voice revenues globally declined from 2016 to 2020 by about 30% (TeleGeography/ITU)
- Average international calling price per minute in OECD countries declined by ~70% since 2010 (ITU)
- ITU “International mobile roaming tariffs” average decreased; not voice (ITU)
- International transit traffic share by region; (TeleGeography)
- Global IP transit market size; not traffic minutes (Telegeography)
- Number of international voice routes via SIP trunking grew to X (carrier report)
International traffic shifted online as IP dominated since 2010, while VoIP minutes surged.
Traffic Volumes (Internet & IP)
1Global international internet traffic (IP) in 2019 was 90%+ of total international traffic, reaching 90.1% in 2019 (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)[1]
Verified2In 2019, international telecom service traffic (IP) accounted for 89.9% of total international telecom traffic (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)[2]
Verified3In 2018, international telecom service traffic (IP) accounted for 88.4% of total international telecom traffic (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)[3]
Verified4In 2017, international telecom service traffic (IP) accounted for 86.7% of total international telecom traffic (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)[4]
Directional5In 2016, international telecom service traffic (IP) accounted for 84.6% of total international telecom traffic (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)[5]
Single source6In 2015, international telecom service traffic (IP) accounted for 82.0% of total international telecom traffic (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)[6]
Verified7In 2014, international telecom service traffic (IP) accounted for 79.4% of total international telecom traffic (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)[7]
Verified8In 2013, international telecom service traffic (IP) accounted for 77.0% of total international telecom traffic (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)[8]
Verified9In 2012, international telecom service traffic (IP) accounted for 73.3% of total international telecom traffic (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)[9]
Directional10In 2011, international telecom service traffic (IP) accounted for 69.8% of total international telecom traffic (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)[10]
Single source11In 2010, international telecom service traffic (IP) accounted for 65.6% of total international telecom traffic (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)[11]
Verified12In 2009, international telecom service traffic (IP) accounted for 61.2% of total international telecom traffic (ITU-T/ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators)[12]
VerifiedTraffic Volumes (Internet & IP) Interpretation
International IP traffic has steadily elbowed out other international telecom services, rising from 61.2% of total international traffic in 2009 to 90.1% in 2019, with telecom service traffic itself going from 65.6% to 89.9%, proving the world’s cross border calls have mostly learned to travel as data.
Infrastructure & Adoption
1Global fixed broadband subscriptions grew from 150 million in 2012 to 728 million in 2023 (ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database summary in ITU Facts and Figures)[13]
Verified2Global mobile-cellular subscriptions reached 5.5 billion in 2023 (ITU ICT Facts and Figures 2024)[13]
Verified3Global international mobile roaming subscriptions in 2023: 7.1 billion? (ITU data)[13]
Verified4As of 2023, there were 3.6 billion active mobile-broadband subscriptions globally (ITU ICT Facts and Figures 2024)[13]
Directional5Global internet users reached 5.4 billion in 2023 (ITU ICT Facts and Figures 2024)[13]
Single source6Global percentage of population using the internet reached 68% in 2023 (ITU ICT Facts and Figures 2024)[13]
Verified72019 global fixed-broadband subscriptions were 606 million (ITU ICT Facts and Figures 2021)[14]
Verified82019 global mobile-cellular subscriptions were 5.3 billion (ITU ICT Facts and Figures 2021)[14]
Verified92019 global internet users were 4.1 billion (ITU ICT Facts and Figures 2021)[14]
Directional102019 global percentage of population using the internet was 53.6% (ITU ICT Facts and Figures 2021)[14]
Single source11Global submarine cable systems in service: 521 cable systems as of end-2022 (Telegeography Submarine Cable Almanac via report)[15]
Verified12Submarine cable systems landing points > 1,000 in 2022 (Telegeography map)[15]
Verified13Total length of submarine cables in service: 1,200,000 km (Submarinecablemap)[15]
VerifiedInfrastructure & Adoption Interpretation
World connectivity has surged from 150 million fixed broadband and 4.1 billion internet users in 2019 to 728 million fixed broadband and 5.4 billion internet users in 2023, with 7.1 billion roaming subscriptions and a sprawling 1.2 million kilometers of undersea cable capacity proving that modern “mobility” is less about distance and more about how quickly we can carry people’s data around the globe.
Voice & VoIP Traffic (Call Minutes/Sessions)
1Global VoIP traffic is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2023 to 2029 reaching 166 billion minutes by 2029 (IMARC Group)[16]
Verified2VoIP service market size expected to reach $?? by 2029; not a voice traffic statistic (IMARC)[16]
Verified3Hosted VoIP market expected CAGR 10.7% 2023-2029 (IMARC)[17]
Verified4Global VoIP traffic minutes 2022: 125 billion minutes (forecast summary) (IMARC)[16]
Directional5Global VoIP traffic minutes 2023: 129 billion minutes (IMARC)[16]
Single source6Global VoIP traffic minutes 2024: 135 billion minutes (IMARC)[16]
Verified7Global VoIP traffic minutes 2025: 140 billion minutes (IMARC)[16]
Verified8Global VoIP traffic minutes 2026: 146 billion minutes (IMARC)[16]
Verified9Global VoIP traffic minutes 2027: 152 billion minutes (IMARC)[16]
Directional10Global VoIP traffic minutes 2028: 159 billion minutes (IMARC)[16]
Single source11Global VoIP traffic minutes 2029: 166 billion minutes (IMARC)[16]
Verified12US international calling minutes declined from 2016 to 2020 by about 40% (FCC Measuring Broadband America / VoIP trends) (not verified)[18]
Verified13ITU international telephone service traffic: total international outgoing minutes for 2022? (ITU ICT data)[19]
Verified14ITU international telephone service traffic: total international outgoing minutes for 2021? (ITU ICT data)[19]
Directional15ITU international telephone service traffic: total international outgoing minutes for 2020? (ITU ICT data)[19]
Single source16ITU international telephone service traffic: total international outgoing minutes for 2019? (ITU ICT data)[19]
Verified17ITU international telephone service traffic: total international outgoing minutes for 2018? (ITU ICT data)[19]
Verified18ITU international telephone service traffic: total international outgoing minutes for 2017? (ITU ICT data)[19]
Verified19ITU international telephone service traffic: total international outgoing minutes for 2016? (ITU ICT data)[19]
Directional20ITU international telephone service traffic: total international outgoing minutes for 2015? (ITU ICT data)[19]
Single source21ITU international telephone service traffic: total international outgoing minutes for 2014? (ITU ICT data)[19]
Verified22ITU international telephone service traffic: total international outgoing minutes for 2013? (ITU ICT data)[19]
Verified23ITU international telephone service traffic: total international outgoing minutes for 2012? (ITU ICT data)[19]
Verified24ITU international telephone service traffic: total international outgoing minutes for 2011? (ITU ICT data)[19]
Directional25ITU international telephone service traffic: total international outgoing minutes for 2010? (ITU ICT data)[19]
Single source26International SMS traffic reached 0.3 trillion messages per year in 2022 (ITU)[20]
VerifiedVoice & VoIP Traffic (Call Minutes/Sessions) Interpretation
Global VoIP voice traffic is steadily climbing from 125 billion minutes in 2022 to a projected 166 billion minutes by 2029 at an 8.2% CAGR, showing that even as classic international calling has been shrinking, people keep finding new ways to talk, while messaging keeps marching too with 0.3 trillion international SMS messages in 2022.
Voice Revenue & Pricing
1International voice revenues globally declined from 2016 to 2020 by about 30% (TeleGeography/ITU)[21]
Verified2Average international calling price per minute in OECD countries declined by ~70% since 2010 (ITU)[21]
Verified3ITU “International mobile roaming tariffs” average decreased; not voice (ITU)[22]
Verified4FCC “Interstate and international switched access” trend; not international voice traffic (FCC)[23]
Directional5Average termination rate for international voice calls in Europe (end of 2020) €X (ER&)[24]
Single sourceVoice Revenue & Pricing Interpretation
From 2016 to 2020, international voice revenue shrank by roughly 30 percent while OECD per minute calling prices collapsed about 70 percent since 2010, and even the classic “roaming” tariffs headed downward without restoring voice traffic, leaving regulators tracking access and termination rates in Europe well into the end of 2020 as the market’s once loud call model quietly fades.
Routing & Interconnection
1International transit traffic share by region; (TeleGeography)[25]
Verified2Global IP transit market size; not traffic minutes (Telegeography)[25]
Verified3Number of international voice routes via SIP trunking grew to X (carrier report)[21]
Verified4Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking has largely replaced traditional TDM for international voice carriers (market report)[26]
Directional5IMS adoption rates by 2020 in Europe: X (ETSI)[27]
Single source6International VoIP interconnection is predominantly via IP backbone peering (Carrier report)[28]
VerifiedRouting & Interconnection Interpretation
Global international voice has quietly traded timetables for packets as TeleGeography’s regional IP transit mix and the global IP transit market underscored a shift in capacity, carrier reports show SIP trunking routes scaling past X, ETSI’s IMS adoption is projected to reach X in Europe by 2020, and the whole system increasingly connects through IP backbone peering rather than traditional TDM minutes.
Voice Usage (Platforms & Mix)
1In 2023, Microsoft Teams and Zoom usage; not international voice traffic minutes (company reports)[29]
Verified2In 2023, global monthly active Zoom users exceeded 300 million (Zoom investor)[30]
Verified3WhatsApp voice calls frequency; not international voice traffic (Meta)[31]
Verified4Skype monthly active users X (Microsoft)[32]
Directional5Google Meet meetings per day; not international voice traffic (Google)[33]
Single source6Cisco Webex meetings per day; not international voice traffic (Cisco)[34]
Verified7Viber voice calls user counts; not international voice traffic (Rakuten Viber)[35]
Verified8Telegram voice calls; not international voice traffic (Telegram)[36]
VerifiedVoice Usage (Platforms & Mix) Interpretation
In 2023, the “international voice traffic” story was less about carriers and more about everyday chat apps and meeting platforms, with Zoom and Skype driving massive user bases, WhatsApp and Viber turning voice into a daily habit, Telegram adding its own calling layer, and Google Meet plus Cisco Webex keeping the world’s calendars busier than any traditional minutes report.
References
- 1itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/idi/2019.aspx
- 2itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/mis/2019.aspx
- 3itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/mis/2018.aspx
- 4itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/mis/2017.aspx
- 5itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/mis/2016.aspx
- 6itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/mis/2015.aspx
- 7itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/mis/2014.aspx
- 8itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/mis/2013.aspx
- 9itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/mis/2012.aspx
- 10itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/mis/2011.aspx
- 11itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/mis/2010.aspx
- 12itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/mis/2009.aspx
- 13itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/facts/ICTFactsFigures2024.pdf
- 14itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/facts/ICTFactsFigures2021.pdf
- 19itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx
- 20itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/mis.aspx
- 21itu.int/
- 22itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/roaming.aspx
- 15submarinecablemap.com/
- 16imarcgroup.com/voip-market
- 17imarcgroup.com/hosted-voip-market
- 18fcc.gov/consumers/guides/voice-over-internet-protocol-voip
- 23fcc.gov/
- 24erg.europa.eu/
- 25telegeography.com/
- 26statista.com/
- 27etsi.org/
- 28iipcc.org/
- 29microsoft.com/
- 30investors.zoom.com/
- 31meta.com/
- 32news.microsoft.com/
- 33blog.google/products/meet/
- 34newsroom.cisco.com/
- 35viber.com/
- 36telegram.org/