VoIP service revenue up 52 percent in 2007

VoIP service revenue up 52 percent in 2007

Infonetics Research reports that worldwide revenue from hosted VoIP and managed IP PBX services jumped 52 percent to $24 billion in 2007 after surging 66 percent in 2006, and is likely to grow in the strong double-digits through at least 2011.

Infonetics' report, VoIP Services and Subscribers, shows that hosted VoIP services continue to outpace managed IP PBX services by far, with residential services fueling market growth.

"While VoIP services are being embraced by consumers worldwide, businesses have been comparatively slower in their adoption due to various roadblocks. This is about to change, though, as technical issues are resolved. For example, many PBX manufacturers have already added SIP trunking interfaces to their equipment, and more recently, they've greatly expanded the list of certified service providers, and that's going to fuel the growth in SIP trunking services. These kinds of developments will boost the overall VoIP business services segment for years to come," said Matthias Machowinski, directing analyst for enterprise voice and data at Infonetics Research.

Other report highlights:

* The number of worldwide residential/SOHO VoIP subscribers grew 60% between 2006 and 2007, to over 75 million, with the largest gains in North America and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa), although Asia Pacific still leads.
* Asia Pacific, which had been leading the VoIP scene for a few years, is now neck and neck with EMEA and North America in 2007; EMEA will break away this year and lead the market at least through 2011.
* Business customer (vs. consumer) share of worldwide hosted VoIP service revenue will increase from 26 percent in 2007 to 41 percent in 2011.
* Comcast is North America's largest consumer VoIP service provider, with 20 percent subscriber market share, France Télécom leads in the EMEA region, Softbank leads in Asia Pacific, and Cableco and Vono Brazil are neck and neck in CALA.