Workplace broadband speeds increase for VoIP phones

The amount of workplaces with downstream broadband speeds of 10Mbps or above rose to a quarter from 18 per cent between October 2007 and May 2008, with the desire to use VoIP phones helping drive the improvements, according to research.

A survey by Point Topic also found that 13 per cent had speeds of 50Mbps or above and that many businesses anticipate needing even faster speeds in the future.

"Over 800,000 workplaces will be in the market for more bandwidth," said Tim Johnson, Point Topic senior analyst.

He continued: "45 per cent of UK premises expect to want more speed within the next two to three years and seven per cent significantly more."

However, despite the increases in speed, 8Mbps is still the most common, with a third of British companies connecting at this rate, although this is down eight per cent in popularity from October 2007.

Mr Johnson listed VoIP phones, remote access and helpdesks, and video conferencing as reasons for the faster connections.

"These applications are the primary drivers for the increasing speeds organisations require now and in the future," he concluded.