Though the recent AT&T decision to allow iPhone VoIP apps on its 3G wireless network may implicitly appear to be a beneficial move for VoIP providers, especially market leader Skype, the gains will not be as easy for the taking as they seem on the surface level!

In fact, a rejoiced Skype CEO Josh Silverman is already asking for even more concessions, given the low barriers to entry and the somewhat restricted opportunities to generate revenue under the existing business models.

The newly-independent Skype, with its present user base of 480 million, has essentially failed to show the kind of growth eBay had projected when it purchased the company.

Moreover, with large mobile and landline operators like Verizon and T-Mobile, along with AT&T, offering VoIP services as part of their packages, Skype would need to work out new strategies for its growth and survival.

Among the other key competitors that Skype will have to combat internet VoIP players like Google Voice, Jaxtr, Jajah, and Vivox; and even emerging VoIP providers like Vonage and Net2Phone, which offer VoIP on installed lines.

To remain a formidable force, Skype may possibly takeover one of the early movers in virtual worlds, including Vivox and Jajah. It can also extend its VoIP technology to potential partnering companies, which can use the Skype platform to focus on what they do best!