Voice over IP (VoIP) has gained significant traction in businesses of all sizes, but dont mistake the acceptance of VoIP with the death of traditional TDM wireline voice service. In-Stat has found that while 20% of US businesses have adopted at least one flavor of VoIP, these businesses still retain TDM solutions for an average of 44% of their total voice lines. This gradual evolution to VoIP is driven by a variety of factors, including existing Centrex contracts and the use of traditional PBX systems that have not yet been fully depreciated, but security and E911 access still remain considerations as well. Additionally, businesses users with Broadband IP Telephony solutions are often unwilling to fully commit to IP since power outages, or loss of Internet connectivity can spell a loss of telephony connectivity.
US businesses continue to adopt a wide range of VoIP solutions, including IP PBXs, hosted IP Centrex, Managed IP PBX, IP-enablement of traditional PBXs, Broadband IP PBX, and increasingly, voice enabled IM client-based solutions like Skype. Multiple solutions are often integrated within businesses with distributed workforces or locations, as well as within specific locations themselves.
The flavor VoIP used by individual workers often depends on their presence status; whether the calling parties are intra-company, or external; the communications device, or devices at hand; as well as personal preference. Larger businesses seem to be gravitating to IP PBX solutions, but other VoIP alternatives stand to see substantial revenue opportunity as well over the foreseeable future. Smaller businesses tend to use Broadband IP Telephony, but are increasingly looking for "business grade" solutions. Caught in the middle are IT managers and business decision makers that need to deal with assessing disparate communications capabilities and the proper fit in light of employees wants and needs.


Please see report "Business VoIP: Multiple Factors Drive Growth" for more information on the current VoIP adoption trends and statistics within the US market. The report also provides VoIP penetration forecasts, as well as selected unit and revenue forecasts through 2011 for the US business market. This report is available online at: http://www.instat.com/abstract.asp?id=18&SKU=IN0703862CT