Ofcom report shows VoIP usage down

The number of people using VoIP services fell from 20 per cent in 2006 to 14 per cent in the first quarter of 2008, according to a report from Ofcom.

It would appear that this is due to mobile providers offering better value for money, meaning people are less likely to take advantages of the cost savings that VoIP offers.

Other facts from the industry regulator's report includes that people are spending more time using communication services but paying less for them.

Overall usage had increased by six minutes between 2002 and 2007, but mobile phone and internet usage had doubled and quadrupled respectively, yet the average monthly household spend on communications services in 2007 was £93.63 - down 4.4 per cent from 2004.

"We are spending more and more time with our communications devices but spending less on them," said Peter Phillips of Ofcom.

"Our devotion to watching, listening and staying in touch wherever and whenever we want shows no sign of diminishing and, with healthy competition, overall prices offer increasing value for money."