US consumers turn to VoIP services for international calls

US consumers are increasingly using VoIP services to make international calls, according to new research.

Harris Interactive has conducted a survey on behalf of mobile VoIP company Rebtel which shows that a quarter of respondents used their computers to make international VoIP calls.

Furthermore, 12 per cent accessed VoIP solutions via a landline package while nine per cent used mobile VoIP services.

Overall, one in four of US citizens regularly make international calls and spend an average of $34 (£21) a month.

Andreas Bernstrom, chief executive of Rebtel, claimed that more consumers will switch to mobile IP telephony solutions in the future.

"The international calling industry for calling from the US abroad is now estimated at a $23.8 billion market," he said.

"Over the next few years we believe this will shift in a dramatic way, to low cost calling solutions on mobile phones away from the landline."