Scotland leading way with VoIP

Scottish web users have been the quickest in the UK to adapt to VoIP services with nearly one in five using it to make calls over the net, according to new research.

Industry regulator Ofcom released the figures in its report on the state of the communications market in Scotland, which looked at the availability, take-up and use of VoIP connections as well as other new technologies.

Compared to other parts of Britain, Scotland leads the way on VoIP with 19 per cent of adults with a connection using it - ahead of England with 18 per cent, while Wales and Northern Ireland trail on 16 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.

However, some English regions had even higher usage rates, with Londoners topping the league with 21 per cent of people with an internet connection making calls through VoIP.

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards acknowledged the growth in use of communications technology like VoIP, saying: "The geographic gap between the digital haves and have-nots in the UK has been gradually narrowing, but we need to do more to ensure that everyone is able to benefit from the economic and social benefits modern communications offer."