Many experts believe that the recent worldwide market downturn may actually help the VoIP industry, due to the fact that both individuals and businesses are looking for ways to cut costs. In many ways, the PC-based VoIP services such as Skype, for example, appeal to people who are looking for a free, or near free solution to making phone calls.
IP Softphone Vendors
The current software-based vendors people are using include Skype, Gizmo, VoIPStunt, Yeigo, Peerme, Fring, iChat, Jajah, iCall, X-Lite, Bria, Talkster, Talkety, Raketu, Nimbuzz, Jaxtr and Wengo – just to name a few. Other common chat software platforms that also now offer voice chat include MSN and Yahoo chat services, which formerly only offered chat-based text.
Almost all of these VoIP solutions typically offer free PC-to-PC voice chat once the software is downloaded and installed on each user’s PC. Many of them also offer free domestic phone calls and free calls to some countries. The recent trend, however, is that calls to regular phone lines or mobile phones now have a small fee applied, although most services do still offer free calling minute packages.
Consumer VoIP Trends
According to a 2008 article in Internet Telephony by Richard Grigonis titled “Consumer VoIP Trends,” consumer VoIP purchasing decisions are usually primarily tied to questions regarding expense and quality of service. In some areas of the world, government regulation is also a concern, so that’s something to keep in mind when exploring other parts of the global VoIP market.
Consumers are turning to VoIP over traditional PSTN providers in greater numbers every year. According to a VoIPGizmos.ca report, 1 out of every 12 Canadians now uses VoIP. Broadband telephony and voice IM services continue to grow in use among residential users, and many corporate and small business customers are also turning to these products to increase productivity.
IP Phone Packaging
According to the Yankee Group, it will only take until 2011 before the balance tips in favor of VoIP over traditional phone line services. By 2011, a majority of U.S. residential VoIP subscribers will be “package customers” who purchase bundles from the cable companies that include cable, phone, and Internet services. This purchasing trend puts cable companies in a tremendous advantage over the phone companies, unless traditional phone companies can establish a competitive advantage before then.
IP Phone For Mobile VoIP
The booming cell phone market is also helping to fuel the growth of the VoIP industry. Mobile phone use across the globe is increasing exponentially. As the IP wireless data service portion of mobile phone service continues to rise in popularity, so will popularity and use of the VoIP mobile Internet applications. This market presents countless opportunities for VoIP vendors to capture niche mobile VoIP markets.
According to a 2007 Deloitte & Touche survey, an impressive 36% of responders to the survey indicated that they use the IP wireless data service portion of their cell phone as an entertainment venue “to send and receive pictures and download music.” With continuous improvements of the 3G/4G mobile data networks, VoIP becomes more of a viable communication option, especially for phones that have the capacity to link to Wi-Fi networks. For example, businesses could use their Wi-Fi network so that mobile phone users could communicate in walkie-talkie fashion around a large facility.