VoIP: Half of businesses use it

Voice over IP (VoIP) is taking hold in a significant portion of UK organisations.

The technology is set to hit the mainstream, as half of organisations are already using VoIP, according to a recent poll of 183 silicon.com readers.

Half are not using it but 30 per cent of total respondents say the organisation they work in is moving towards an integrated IP network.

And few are bucking the trend. Just 20 per cent aren't using the technology and don't plan to in the near future.

This is in line with the latest predictions from Ovum, who say VoIP will become mainstream in businesses by 2008. The IP PBX market in western Europe, for example, will see 50 per cent penetration in enterprises by 2007 and 60 per cent by 2008, according to the analysts.

Niklas Zennström, CEO of Skype, the maker of the popular VoIP application, goes even further, saying phone calls will be free in 10 years' time.