Next generation VoIP market "maturing"

The next generation of voice over broadband technology is maturing, as a report of a recent study shows investment in voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and instant messaging service (IMS) networking equipment increased 19 per cent in 2007.

Channel News reports that the study, which was carried out by Infonetics Research, found that overall, service providers spent more than $3.9 billion (£1.94 billion) worldwide on VoIP and IMS technology last year.

The report predicts that this will rise to $8.4 million by 2011.

According to the site, Infonetics Research's principal analyst for VoIP and IMS, Stephane Teral said the figures demonstrate how the market for voice applications and networks over broadband has come of age.

This was also evidenced, he said, by single-digit annual sales growth for traditional telephony equipment, such as media gateways and softswitches.

Sales of next generation hardware, such as session border controllers, media servers and voice application services, will "grow faster for the next five years", he added.

Infonetics Research is an international market analyst and consultant that specialises in the data networking and telecommunications sectors.