SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The global market for consumer voice over IP services was about 16 million at the end 2005, reports In-Stat, and is and projected to grow to over 55 million in 2009.
But despite a 62% year-over-year subscriber growth rate in 2005, few consumers say they have heard of the term "VoIP", the high-tech market research firm says. “This indicates providers have to continue to educate the public, and that there is considerable room for market growth.”
It also indicates that many operators are shunning the awkward-sounding term, preferring marketing jargon like “home phone” or “digital phone”.
"Competition in broadband access services is the key driving force behind VOIP market development," said Keith Nissen, In-Stat analyst. "In addition, multiple waves of new entrants, ranging from broadband ISPs and cable MSOs, to Google and eBay will play significant roles."
A recent report by In-Stat found the following:
* 73% of all VoIP subscribers worldwide have migrated to VoIP without making a conscious buying decision to adopt the new technology.
* In North America and Canada, cable operators are aggressively expanding their VOIP footprint, but are marketing VOIP as plain old telephone service.
* In Asia, South Korea will have the highest VOIP growth rate, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore.
* In Europe, broadband ISPs, such as Free Telecom (France) and FastWeb (Italy) are leading the way with innovative consumer triple-play service bundles.
