Most SMBs 'keen for VoIP solutions'

Nearly all small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) without VoIP solutions would like to use the technology in future, according to a study.

Research by Omniboss for Viatel found that more than half (54 per cent) of SMBs did not have VoIP solutions, but 95 per cent of those would like to.

Their uptake of the technology was being stifled by concerns over quality when using traditional ADSL broadband (69 per cent) and the large cost of leased lines which would improve reliability (47 per cent).

However, Viatel director of voice Alastair Buck claimed that there were other options open to concerned SMBs.

"Over half of small businesses feel that they have been held back from using VoIP because services are unreliable when run over ADSL, but the organisations cannot afford to deploy leased lines or WAN Ethernet," he said.

"SMBs need to realise that there are alternatives available, such as uncontended ADSL services which can provide this stability without breaking the bank."

Last month, a campaign manager of US presidential candidate John McCain revealed that the Republican's bid for office had made use of VoIP phones.

Gentry Collins told the Daily Telegraph that VoIP solutions "are unquestionably powerful tools".