VoIP News: March 2008

A new study has found the number of households and businesses choosing voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology in the US is shadowing European adoption trends and is expected to rise in 2008, according to reports. The study by IBISWorld ranks VoIP as the number one industry expected to do well in 2008, forecasting annual growth of 24. 3 per cent for the sector.

A Norfolk MP has called for the area's county council to work with internet service providers and regional development agencies to bring broadband access to homes in the area, reports say. The Eastern Daily Press states that Norman Lamb has been given expert estimates that put the number of homes without broadband access in Norfolk at double the national average, or around one per cent of properties.

The European commission wants broadband penetration within the European Union (EU) member states to reach 30 per cent by 2010 in a bid to drive economic growth within the bloc, reports say. According to news agency Reuters, the EU's information society commissioner Viviane Reding said only eight of the 27 member countries currently compete with the United States in terms of broadband penetration rates.

A new phone that incorporates a stylish "retro" design with landline and internet calls, as well as SMS text messaging, has been unveiled by manufacturer Thomson, according to reports. The Register reports that the Symbio phone comes with a "stylised traditional design" and wireless connections. Using this connection, people can make voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephone calls or connect to online radio stations.

Connecting multiple branches, mobile workers and remote sales offices over an existing company network is the "main reason" for small businesses to choose voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephony systems, an expert has said. Brian Solomon, a web editor for TMCnet specialising in internet protocol communications, call centres and customer relationship management, wrote on the site that one of the benefits VoIP offers operations with multiple locations is that they can direct calls over their existing internal network, eliminating the need for separate phone lines.