VoIP Adoption Still Growing in Consumer and Business Markets

By Chris DiMarco TMCnet Managing Editor

VoIP service is not necessarily new, but market information indicates that its penetration in the field will allow it to remain relevant for some time to come, especially in a consumer capacity.  The figures from industry analysts Point Topic, seem to reiterate the fact service providers, businesses and consumers are using VoIP systems at an ever increasing rate.  

Point Topic is a primary web source for DSL, FTTx, cable and user statistics, databases, information and reports and provides up-to-date, accurate and cost effective worldwide and U.K. specific broadband and VoIP datasets available. VoIP is so ubiquitous that just about any internet service coming from a cable provider includes it at no additional cost.

“Over 22% of consumer broadband lines worldwide now come with a Voice over IP service.  Passing 100 million subscriptions by the end of 2009 VoIP has continued to grow adding another 12 million subscribers in the first half of 2010,” said Point Topic’s Senior Analyst John Bosnell.

VoIP is so ubiquitous that just about any internet service coming from a local cable provider gives a house phone option at no additional cost.

Bosnell cited France Telecom (News - Alert) as an example where bundles with VoIP access were uncommon. Fierce competition in the area means ISPs needed to offer more bundled services, including a phone service. 70 percent of French households now have a VoIP service, and that particular segment suffered from saturation. 

Painting the VoIP picture elsewhere, Bosnell added that China, the largest broadband market had only one bundled VoIP service for every 20 broadband subscriptions, while U.S. closed in on one in Three, leaving plenty of headroom there and around the world. At the end of 2009 just under $15 billion a year was being generated by VoIP most often as part of a bundled subscription. This is almost double the revenue generated by Security, the next nearest value-added service.

VoIP is attractive to consumers because of its price plain and simple, this is the case at an enterprise level as well as at home. The connectivity that this new form of telephone operates insures that it will remain a viable option for businesses and consumers, so long as it doesn’t over saturate the market.

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