VoIP enables remote working to cut costs and boost profits

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is helping companies to enable remote working opportunities for their staff, which can boost efficiency and also cut costs, an expert claims.

Mike Ballantine, business development manager at Aastra, said developments in the telecoms industry have meant more employees can now work from home.

He pointed out that broadband is the "key enabler for remote working", because most households now have "some sort of broadband connectivity".

This forms the basis for the introduction of VoIP services, which can ensure domestic and international calls are made at a significantly reduced cost.

"There's lots of technology out there now which makes it much, much easier to deploy a sensible and cost effective solution for people," he explained.

Mr Ballantine also added that "swine flu concerns have driven some companies to reduce levels of business travel, but this needn't affect operations".

In other news, a new report by Infonetics Research has revealed that the VoIP service market grew by 33 per cent in 2008 to surpass $30.8 billion (£20.554 billion).