Global VoIP Subscribers to Top 55 Million in 2009

In-Stat: The global market for consumer VoIP services has arrived, with total VoIP subscribers worldwide at 16 million in 2005 and projected to grow to over 55 million in 2009. But despite an impressive 62% year-over-year subscriber growth rate in 2005, few consumers have ever heard of the term “VoIP”. This indicates providers have to continue to educate the public, and that there is considerable room for market growth.

Competition in broadband access services is the key driving force behind VoIP market development. In addition, multiple waves of new entrants, ranging from broadband ISPs and cable MSOs, to Google and eBay will play significant roles.

• 73% of all VoIP subscribers worldwide have migrated to VoIP without making a conscious buying decision to adopt the new technology.

• In North America and Canada, cable operators are aggressively expanding their VoIP footprint, but are marketing VoIP as plain old telephone service.

• In Asia, South Korea will have the highest VoIP growth rate, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore.

• In Europe, broadband ISPs, such as Free Telecom (France) and FastWeb (Italy) are leading the way with innovative consumer triple-play service bundles.

Global VOIP Has Arrived; Just Not As Expected! Publ 200650131