The VoIP for business sector could be given a boost with the launch of more media phones in the near future, according to a new report.

In-Stat's forecast, entitled The Media Phone Has Arrived, defines media phones as "a new category of broadband multimedia device that has the potential to become the fourth screen in the home".

Revenues from business media phones are likely to exceed $3.3 billion (£2.3 billion) worldwide by 2013, In-Stat forecasts, with these devices to be an extension of current IP PBX, IP Centrex and industry-standard SIP-based IP phones.

"Business media phones will replace the middle and high-end IP telephones and will be targeted at multimedia applications requiring the always-on, high-performance operation delivered by desktop telephones," In-Stat suggests.

It goes on to indicate that business media phones' greatest market potential is in increasing the take-up of IP phones among hybrid IP PBX users and also highlights the opportunities that exist within the wideband or high-definition VoIP sector.

The iPhone 3G is one handset that is capable of deploying wideband VoIP services and applications, thanks to the TeamSpirit 3.0 Voice Engine Mobile platform provided by Spirit DSP.