VoIP traffic tops telephones for thriftiness

Making telephone calls via a VoIP provider works out cheaper than using a traditional telephone line in the end, Origin IT has said.

This is due to IP telephony solutions using a single network - usually the internet - to transmit both voice calls and data, the IT support company told business community website BtoB.

David Burns, business development manager at Origin IT, said that VoIP phones have been "adopted with some gusto globally" because they offer "significantly cheaper communication".

"VoIP enables some things which are impossible on traditional phone networks", he added, explaining that VoIP calls can be received wherever internet access is available.

"Accordingly, VoIP services are becoming more and more popular with corporates and individuals alike," Mr Burns said.

He added that, thus far, traditional telecommunications operators have been hesitant about embracing VoIP because they have "no chance of competing" with its cost advantages.

Top telephone companies' revenue growth is in decline because of the recession, regulation of roaming and termination rates and competition from the likes of the VoIP carrier community, telecoms industry analyst firm Ovum said recently.