VoIP mainstream in businesses by 2008

Voice over IP is set to hit the big time in enterprises, according to one analyst. Speaking at the VoIP for Business conference in London today, Peter Hall, research director at Ovum, said: "IP telephony has reached the mainstream. The technology is robust. The number of vendors is considerable. The business case is becoming more sophisticated." Hall said the IP PBX market, in particular, is moving out of the early adopter stage in Western Europe. Ovum predicts IP PBXs will hit 50 per cent penetration by 2007 and 60 per cent by 2008.