VoIP can help ease the economic pain of the recession

The growth and direction of VoIP communications can help businesses and consumers to weather the current economic downturn, a leading organisation claims.

A study published by IBISWorld predicts that the recession could actually have a positive impact on the VoIP industry, reports TMCnet.com.

The research indicates that the "emerging" VoIP market has one "distinctive advantage" over other competing industries which is price.

Cost saving is an increasingly important goal for most businesses during the present economic downturn.

IBISWorld suggests that the significant savings to local and international calls in VoIP could prove an attractive option as times worsen.

The company said: "Consumer migration to VoIP will boost revenue but the higher cost of funding will result in an earlier than expected shakeout of industry participants.

"IBISWorld expect enterprises to fall by 18 per cent in 2009 compared to a February 2008 forecast of a 6.3 per cent increase."

However, the report also indicates that revenue growth in VoIP during 2009 and 2010 will be higher than previously expected as customers transfer over from wire-line services.

American utilities company Alliant Energy Corporation recently enjoyed the benefits of a VoIP-enabled network during its response to a disaster recovery situation.