VoIP News: March 2007

Small firms lead VoIP take-up

A new survey has revealed that uptake of VoIP services by UK small businesses will double over the next 12 months and indeed it is small businesses that are driving the market.

The study by Vanson Bourne predicts that 48 per cent of small businesses will be using VoIP services this time next year, up from a current figure of 25 per cent.

Other results of the survey include the findings that 57 per cent of companies with between two to ten employees and 48 per cent of sole traders are planning to use VoIP in the next 12 months, compared to 20 per cent of companies with 31 to 50 employees.

Bill Murphy, managing director of BT Business, which commissioned the report, said: "There has been a huge increase in the use of VoIP by the UK's smaller businesses and that looks set to continue.

"However, there is a large proportion of the community, particularly medium sized businesses, who could still benefit from understanding more about VoIP and using it to the best advantage of their business."

Regionally, London topped the table with the highest number of companies using VoIP followed by the north-east of England (24 per cent) and the south-west (23 per cent).

In fourth place was Northern Ireland (20 per cent), followed by the north-west (19 per cent) and the south-east (18 per cent). Scotland came seventh (17 per cent), ahead of the Midlands (15 per cent).

Just five per cent of businesses in Wales have adopted VoIP.

Posted on: 2007-03-30, in: General VoIP

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VoIP and Wi-Fi equipment revenues to reach $15bn by 2012

The enterprise VoIP over Wi-Fi equipment market is to reach $15 billion by 2012, new research reveals.

A new report by Juniper Research, claims the total market for enterprise VoIP access points and VoIP WLAN switch/mobility controllers will be worth around $2 billion this year growing to $15 billion in five years.

VoIP access points for enterprises are expected to reach over $5 billion in revenues by 2012, growing from $930 million this year. North American revenues are expected to grow from $442 million in 2007 to $1.75 billion in 2012.

Juniper added that revenues in the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region and the Asia Pacific region are expected to reach $1.7 billion and $1.6 billion respectively by 2012.

VoIP WLAN switch/ mobility controllers for enterprises are expected to reach almost $8 billion by 2012, growing from just under $1 billion in 2007.

North American revenues are expected to grow from around a $0.5 billion in 2007 to $2.7 Billion in 2012 with EMEA and Asia Pac revenues reaching $2.7 billion and $1.4 billion respectively by 2012.

A re cent report by the Economist Intelligence Unit revealed new online voice over IP (VoIP) services are the greatest threat to fixed-line revenues with 68 per cent of respondents identifying VoIP operators as the primary cause of declining revenues.

The report found that over 80 per cent of industry executives believe that voice calls will no longer make up the primary revenue source for communications carriers within six years and over half believe this will happen within the next four years.

Posted on: 2007-03-28, in: Networking hardware, VoIP Hardware

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Microsoft developing virtual VoIP headsets

Microsoft is reportedly developing a system of virtual headsets that will beam VoIP calls directly to the vicinity of users' heads without the sound spreading to nearby areas.

In an interview with Ivan Tashev, a software architect at Microsoft, MIT's Technology Review reports that the algorithm will theoretically allow for "direct sound from a set of speakers--ideally embedded in a computer monitor--into a person's ears, effectively creating virtual headphones; just a few inches outside the focal point of the sound waves, the volume dramatically fades away".

Mr Tashev said that the aim was to develop a system that allowed for users to freely move around offices and conference rooms while still hearing he VoIP transmissions. He suggested that a camera fitted with image processing software could track the user.

However, there is still much work to be done. Mr Tashev points out that focusing a sound beam requires extreme precision in timing, and this is influenced by a range of factors including the speakers and the composition of the room itself.

Mr Tashev said that he hopes to eventually incorporate the system into Windows Media Player.

Posted on: 2007-03-27, in: General VoIP, VoIP Hardware

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Best in class VoIP deployments save $150 per user each year

A new report has revealed that organisations "adept" at deploying mobile VoIP report saving over $150 per user per year and an average return on investment (ROI) of 49 per cent.

The research by AberdeenGroup found best-in-class organisations leverage mobile VoIP for productivity and cost savings.

It found that 69 per cent of organisations surveyed look to mobile VoIP as a way to enhance productivity, while 60 per cent also expect to reduce their mobile phone costs.

"Best-in-class organisations deploy a mobile VoIP solution for the productivity benefits first and for the lower cost second," said Philippe Winthrop, research director for wireless and mobility research.

"They are using mobile VoIP to develop seamless coverage capabilities within the enterprise and implementing tools such as mobile instant messaging to provide their employees a mobile dimension to their unified communications solution."

The study also found best-in-class organisations are four times more likely than others to have a high level of expertise in integrating their mobile VoIP solution with other unified communications solutions.

Posted on: 2007-03-26, in: General VoIP

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New VoIP and IMS test system announced

A new test solution for VoIP and IMS systems has been launched by Ixia.

The company says the IxVoice test solution enables equipment manufacturers and operators to qualify IMS infrastructure as well as allow more extensive VoIP interoperability testing.

Additions to this 4.10 version include the capability to emulate the HSS (Home Subscriber Server) as well as support for SIP Sigcomp for testing Call Service Control Functions (CSCF).

"IMS poses incredible implementation and deployment challenges," said Errol Ginsberg, CEO of Ixia.

"IxVoice has the inherent flexibility needed to enable service providers and network equipment manufacturers to test under such variable conditions, enabling the emulation of a vast number of different network elements and functions."

He added that Ixia's IxVoice test solution is designed to validate the key IMS subsystems for interoperability, functionality and performance and supports the dynamic architecture requirements inherent in large-scale IMS networks.

Posted on: 2007-03-23, in: General VoIP, VoIP Hardware

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