Internet device rise could boost VoIP traffic

The use of devices that allow access to IP telephony solutions is expected to increase by over 25 times by 2013, Cisco Systems has said.

The networking equipment and management supplier predicted that the number of devices connected to the internet will reach one trillion by 2013, it has been widely reported.

The number of internet-enabled devices in use is expected to hit 35 billion this year, up from 500 million in 2007, which could lead to an increase in VoIP traffic.

Padmasree Warrior, chief technology officer of Cisco Systems, speaking at International CTIA 2010, said that this growth would involve equipment other than computers and smartphones.

Ms Warrior also predicted that there will be 1.5 million mobile applications, such as VoIP solutions, available by 2013, rising from the 160,000 available now.

Mobile users are increasingly able to avoid the cost of traditional voice plans by adopting VoIP provider applications, gadget guide Gizmodo, said recently.

However, "we're willing to enrich our beloved providers in other ways", as more and more devices are being connected to wireless networks, features editor Wilson Rothman said.