SMBs becoming aware VoIP services are 'affordable'

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are becoming increasingly aware that VoIP services are within their budget, it has been claimed.

Robert Poe, editor-in-chief of the voice and video communication website VoIP Evolution, stated that the cost of installing and maintaining the technology is comparable to standard phone networks.

He said: "I believe they [SMBs] are getting the word that VoIP systems are no more expensive than traditional systems."

Mr Poe expressed his belief that this particularly applies to hosted VoIP solutions, which allows SMBs to introduce IP telephony solutions without having the in-house expertise necessary to deploy it themselves.

"Going the hosted route means they don't need IT staff to run their phone systems," he added.

According to recent forecasts published by technology market research firm ABI Research, larger enterprises are beginning to adopt the hosted VoIP services traditionally targeted at SMBs.