VoIP solutions 'helping to drive softphone interest'

The increasing use of VoIP solutions by commercial organisations is driving interest in softphones, it has been claimed.

According to a paper from Global Industry Analysts, while softphones have some way to go before they can rival mobile and desktop phones, more and more companies are exploring the benefits of such technology.

One of the key drivers behind this is the increasing adoption of VoIP hardware and the deployment of VoIP networks.

Entitled Enterprise Softphones: A Global Strategic Business Report, the research also highlighted some of the numerous advantages of VoIP solutions for businesses.

"The ability to turn a PC and/or a laptop into a telephone, which runs over the internet offers numerous advantages, such as elimination of wired hardware requirements, space conservation … and [is] cost-effective for long distance international calling," the firm stated.

Mike Eagle, general manager of the Federation of Communication Services, said recently that VoIP solutions offer fairly sophisticated functionality and are about more than saving money.