Dutch VoIP uptake shows rapid increase

The Netherlands are showing strong support in favour of VoIP technology, according to a new market report.

TelecomPaper conducted the research and concluded that the number of Dutch-based VoIP subscribers at the end of 2006 now totals almost 1.8 million compared to 655,000 in the previous year as internet-based telephone services now account for almost a third of the country's market.

A statement from TelecomPaper said: "The market share of digital telephony services on the Dutch consumer market approached 30 per cent, leaving still 70 per cent for the traditional PSTN and ISDN services."

Provider KPN showed the strongest growth in the VoIP sector over the 12 month period by adding over half a million users to its customer base while cable companies added in excess of 400,000 subscribers.

KPN now hold an impressive 29.2 per cent share of the market due to the ongoing popularity of its InternetPlusBellen service.

TelecomPaper expects the total number of DSL-based VoIP subscriptions to overtake cable telephony subscriptions within the first three months of 2007 due to ongoing consumer demand.