VoIP in line to benefit from IT spending rebound

VoIP services could get a boost in 2011 as business IT spending in Europe, the Middle East and Africa is forecast to rebound after two years of decline.

Research specialist Gartner said total expenditure on enterprise technology in the region will top $784.8 billion (£487.3 billion) in 2010, down 2.1 per cent on the previous 12 months.

It is expected to rise by 1.3 per cent next year to top $795.2 billion.

Much of the growth in IT spending, particularly in Europe, will come from the private sector, as austerity drives across the continent mean public bodies are holding fire on new investment.

Speaking at the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2010, the company's senior vice-president and head of research Peter Sondergaard said expenditure will "exhibit slow growth through 2014 as the public sector continues to focus on bringing budget deficits under control during the next five years".

According to separate figures from Analysys, corporate spending on VoIP services alone is expected to top €12 billion (£10.1 billion) by the end of this year.