Top 3 Industries Switching to VoIP
With so many advantages and benefits to the user, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) has become a viable alternative. With VoIP service providers like Skype, Vonage, and others taking hold; this industry will continue to boom for decades ahead.
Since VoIP uses the Internet, the calls are free, but when they’re not (as in the case of International calls) the call rates are much cheaper than traditional public switched telephone networks (PSTNs).
Mobile Phones, Softphones, and Wi-Fi
As far as VoIP and top industries are concerned, the mobile phone business is taking the lead. Mobile phones and devices that are capable of handling VoIP (such as Google, iPhone, Android, and Windows Mobile) are growing by leaps and bounds. Market researchers also predict more interest for softphones and PC-based VoIP services in the near future.
The impact of wireless VoIP in the marketplace has also played an important role. In 2009, ABI Research, a marketing research firm, predicted that cellular/voice over Internet surpassed 50 million users, accounting for seven percent of the overall handset market.
Although VoIP has evolved in the mobile industry, third generation (3G) and Wi-Fi networks also continue to lead the way. For example, 3G users are expected to reach over 230 million by the end of the year 2012.
International Business
The economic crisis in the U.S translates to an increased interest and demand for American VoIP services from foreign markets. The devaluation of the U.S dollar will increase the purchasing power of foreign users, and the demand for VoIP services like PC-based telephony will continue to rise.
Information Technology
A recent study by BT’s United States-based professional services unit reported that nearly half of all IT companies across the globe have already implemented VoIP services. The study involved 267 countries, and said that 48% of them have switched to VoIP. Although there is still opposition to VoIP in some companies, the increase in demand for VoIP is still exponential.
Research from a company called In-Stat predicted that consumer VoIP adoption would drive wholesale VoIP revenues to $3.8 billion by 2010—from $1.1 billion in 2006.
In the long run, wholesale VoIP is expected to experience significant migration throughout the forecasted periods, and become a big part of the national international market in the near future.
