VoIP penetration among US businesses will increase rapidly over the next few years, reaching 79% by 2013, compared to 42% at the end of 2009, reports In-Stat. This penetration reflects companies having a VoIP solution deployed in at least one location.

“VoIP adopters have a good understanding of the cost savings associated with VoIP, and have oriented their limited budgets to optimizing efficiency and savings by replacing legacy TDM voice solutions,” says David Lemelin, In-Stat analyst. “With businesses opening up fewer new locations than we have seen in recent years, much of this current investment is occurring at headquarters locations where efficiencies and savings can be maximized.”

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• Hosted IP Centrex has now surpassed Broadband IP Telephony as the leading revenue-generating, carrier-based business VoIP solution.
• 33% of businesses that have already deployed VoIP solutions report that recent economic conditions have caused them to slow additional deployment plans, compared to 30% reporting no change in plans.
• Broadband IP Telephony revenues continue to grow and will more than double by 2013, compared to 2008. This growth will be fueled by single-user applications among increasingly distributed and mobile workforces

The research, “US Business VOIP Overview: Optimization Trumps Expansion”, covers the US business market for IP telephony. It includes:

• Examination of the US business market for IP telephony based on survey results of 1000 US business decision makers currently using VoIP.
• Worldwide IP PBX line shipment forecast 2007–2013.
• US Hosted IP Centrex seats in service forecast 2008–2013.
• US Hosted IP Centrex revenues forecast 2008–2013.
• Analysis of VoIP market barriers and drivers.