VoIP set for rapid consumer growth

Consumer take-up of cable-based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony is set to expand rapidly, thanks mainly to increasing subscriptions for broadband internet.

According to JupiterResearch, more than 25 million homes in the US will be using VoIP by 2012, as the stranglehold of broadband takes a firm grip Stateside.

The research company believes that consumers are being won over by technology which saw in the region of 3.6 million customers convert to VoIP telephony in 2006.

Douglas Williams, broadband analyst at JupiterResearch, suggested that the strength of cable-based VoIP as part of a bundled package would ensure a healthy future for the market.

He added that with broadband connectivity increasing and VoIP technology becoming more mainstream, prices would continue to fall for such services.

"The forthcoming push into the wireless market will give cable providers the flexibility to provide whatever multi-play option a consumer may want," Mr Williams concluded.