Press & PR

The popularity in VoIP is soaring as more firms and consumers are choosing to switch to internet-based telephone service, according to new figures.

Total revenues from sales of IP telephony solutions grew to 6,908 million (£3,383 million) in 2006, according to broadband research firm Point Topic.

The region with the largest number of internet phone users was found to be western Europe, which produced sales of $2,639 million (£1,292 million) over the 12 months of last year.

According to John Bosnell, a senior analyst for Point Topic, the reason for this increase in popularity of internet calls is that more customers are opting for 'triple-play' service bundles which feature online telephony, broadband and TV in one package

"The more VoIP is offered as a part of a bundle of services, the higher the average monthly VoIP revenue is," he said.

Point Topic also noted that web-based telephone services are currently being targeted at either individuals or firms that are heavy telephone users as they have the most to gain from cheaper calls and more flexibility in how they use their phone.


Unlimited call plans from Vonage start at £5.99 a month for calls to the UK and Ireland, with 15 other countries included in the £7.99 a month V-Plan 2 and a further ten in V-Plan 3 for a monthly fee of £9.99.