VoIP traffic rises with broadband

ABI research has reported that fixed broadband subscribers - and therefore the users best-placed to take advantage of increased VoIP traffic - are on the rise.

The number of subscribers to fixed broadband will rise to 501 million by the end of 2014, according to ABI research. Of those, about 106 million will subscribe to services delivered via fibre, which has greater bandwidth and traffic capacity than other broadband solutions.

Serene Fong, an ABI Research industry analyst, said: "Broadband penetration continues to increase since more service providers are offering triple-play services and driving down access prices."

And ABI Research research associate Knin Sandi Lynn recognises the importance this rise has for VoIP carriers and users alike: "File sharing, music downloads, IPTV, online gaming and video conferencing are all acting to increase the user demand for high speed Internet. The number of fibre broadband subscribers is increasing with growing popularity of these services."

The Asia-Pacific region has the world's highest broadband penetration, while Western Europe trails with only around two million fibre broadband subscribers.

However, Western governments are seeking to accelerate fibre broadband penetration, partly to make the provisions required for a true next-generation VoIP traffic infrastructure.