Broadband Voice Billions
from the April 16, 2001 issue of Broadband Week
Just how big will the voice over broadband market be? If the small business market for voice over DSL is an indication, it could ramp up quickly, according to a report issued by Research First Consulting.
The Birmingham, Ala.-based firm surveyed some 900 small businesses with five to 50 employees and projected that revenue from voice over DSL services alone could reach $7.2 billion by 2005. The market stands at about $169 million in annual revenue currently.
Principal partner and senior research analyst Scott Rex says small businesses are looking for reliable, combined voice and data service. "What that tells us is those companies providing broadband service have a great opportunity to bridge over to voice over DSL service," he says.
But only if they move fast, Rex warns. Providers of PBX, Centrex and other voice service software eventually will catch on to the market, so to gain a foothold "24 to 36 months is kind of the window we have," he says. -- K.B.
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