VoIP solutions take hold in Europe

The number of VoIP solutions in Europe is increasing at an incredible rate, according to research from an analyst firm.

TeleGeography believes that at the end of last year there were 25.3 million consumer VoIP lines in Western Europe, an increase from 15 million in 2006 and almost four times as many as in 2005 (6.5 million).

The number is expected to increase to 37 million by the end of 2008, making up 29 per cent of all fixed lines in the region.

According to Paul Brodsky, an analyst at the company, growth has been driven by aggressive pricing of bundles containing voice, broadband and video.

However, some countries have much more penetration of VoIP solutions than others - ranging from 43 per cent (France) to two per cent (Spain).

"A fixed-line revolution is underway in Europe, but it’s not happening at a uniform pace," Mr Brodsky wrote on TelecomsEurope.

It was also discovered that France Telecom has become the biggest VoIP provider in the region, after many incumbent phone providers introduced IP telephony services.